Top 2026 recruit Amari Byles commits to Notre Dame
Top 2026 recruit Amari Byles has committed to Notre Dame, she told Rivals. The 6-foot-2 forward from Kingdom Collegiate Academy (TX) chose the Irish over Baylor and Oregon.
“A few years ago, they were my dream school,” Byles told Rivals. “I went on a visit two years ago, and it honestly felt like home. Just being there, just was a super natural fit. I loved the coaches. I love the girls — they just made me feel like I was a part of the team already. It was super easy to talk to all of them. I just had a great feeling. I know people say it’s cliche to have that feeling, but I feel like I really did, and it was just an amazing visit.”
She’s been building relationships with the coaching staff for a few years now and that was a factor in her decision.
“It’s been great,” she said. “I mean, I’ve been talking to them for a few years now, just very consistent. I just really feel like I built a great relationship with them. I can almost talk to them about anything. I just feel like it’s been really good over the years so far, and just building it year by year just really helped with the consistency.”
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Byles loves Notre Dame’s play style and can see herself fitting in from the jump.
“I love that they’re just a really versatile team,” Byles said. “They’re smaller this year, but with the class coming in, I just feel like they play everyone in all positions. It’s positionless. I just feel like that’s really good for me as a player. They develop pros, as everyone knows. I just feel like that’s great. There won’t be as many people in my position, so I feel like that’s also good for me to just have a great opportunity to play and get a lot of good minutes my freshman year.”
While it’s still nearly a year away, Byles is excited to get on campus.
“Everything,” she said. “I’m just super excited to be on the court with everyone, with my coaches, and just be there with my teammates. I already feel like I’m having a great relationship with them and the fans are crazy. I feel like that’s gonna be super cool playing in front of them finally. I’m excited for everything. I can’t wait to get started.”