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Women's Basketball By: Jim Hague

Scarlet Raider Profile: Brya Byrd

It took a while for Brya Byrd to find a college to call home.

Byrd first went to Seton Hall, but she had no real thoughts of playing basketball there.

"I originally went there to be a walk-on," Byrd said. "But I ended up being the team manager."

Byrd did that for exactly one semester. She then transferred to Fairleigh Dickinson University in Florham Park and was all set to be a player there.

"I didn't get a chance to play there," Byrd said. "I would go to practices, but I didn't play. It wasn't the best fit for me either."

So Byrd made the decision to join her girlfriend Zahkyrah Carter on the women's basketball team at Rutgers-Newark.

"I just bounced around a bit," Byrd said. "I never knew I had a chance to go to Rutgers-Newark. Zahkyrah really influenced me."

It also helped that Byrd is a two-sport athlete. Byrd also runs track, in particular, the 400-meter hurdles.

"My high school (Hillside High School) coaches contacted (Rutgers-Newark head track and field coach Juan) Edney for me," Byrd said. "I always wanted to do both in college. Basketball is my first love."

So when Byrd took a visit to Rutgers-Newark, she met with both Edney and head women's basketball coach Ashley Cieplicki.

"We actually recruited Brya when she was in high school," Cieplicki said. "When she went to the other schools, we sort of lost sight of her. When she expressed interest in coming here, we welcomed her."

When she enrolled at Rutgers-Newark and told Edney she wanted to be a part of the R-N track and field team, Edney made the demand that he requires all of his student/athletes. Byrd had to run cross country.

"I got Zahkyrah to run cross country with me," Byrd said. "We both ran cross country in order to get ready for basketball and then we did conditioning with Coach Ash (Cieplicki)."

Cieplicki liked the approach that Byrd brought to the Scarlet Raiders.

"Her attitude and energy stood out," Cieplicki said. "She brought endless energy and hustle to us."

But for the first five games of the 2021-2022 season, Byrd was nothing more than a spectator and practice player. She played a total of 23 minutes, attempted just two shots and didn't score a single point.

"I was a little discouraged not playing," Byrd said. "But I kept working hard. I'm always a vocal person and I encourage everyone else on the team. If the team needed someone to say something, I could do that. I sometimes tell them things they don't want to hear. But I like being the energetic one on the team.  It made me feel important."

Then, through illness and injury, Byrd got her chance to see the floor. And she made the most of her chances to play. She has averaged seven points per game over than span, including a seasonal high of 11 points and seven rebounds in a win over Rutgers-Camden. Since that time, Byrd has been a regular part of the Scarlet Raiders' rotation.

"We can't keep her off the floor," Cieplicki said. "She's been a blessing in disguise."

And as for the energy? Well, Byrd continues her enthusiasm off the floor.

"After every practice, after every game, she still wants to ask questions and still wants to talk," Cieplicki said. "She's such a good communicator with everyone. She always wants to talk with everyone. She's good to have coming off the bench. Defense is her No. 1 contribution. I think she's No. 1 on the team on the defensive end. It's nice to have."

"I always ask for game film and ask questions all the time," Byrd said. "Once I saw and heard the plays, I got better. It really helped me. I felt like I was making better decisions. I want to be contributing on both ends, but I feel I'm better defensively. I'm not the most talented player and not the most crafty player. But I am scrappy. I take charges. I run the floor. I box out. I get rebounds."

And she's playing now, getting regular time. The Scarlet Raiders may be struggling to win games, but it's not from Byrd not trying.

Byrd is majoring in psychology. She doesn't know what the future holds, but she might want to explore the world of social work.

"I want to help kids," Byrd said. "Especially minority kids. I don't want to leave school early. If I could, I'd stay in school forever. I really would."

And after two other brief stops, Byrd has a college to call home.

"I love Rutgers," Byrd said. "I love my team. They're my sisters. We're a family."

It helps that Byrd's biggest fan is part of the team.

"We've been together for two and a half years," Byrd said. "She's my biggest cheerleader. She likes to see me do well."

The two played AAU basketball together for the Jersey Heat, so they have experience being teammates.

"She makes me feel good when she's cheering for me," Byrd said. "She knows I'll do the same for her. Her time will come."

Cieplicki is pleased that Byrd is making a contribution.

"She just has to play more," Cieplicki said. "I couldn't be happier with her."

And when Byrd does something good?

"She wants to give me a hug," Cieplicki said.

"I'm a hugger," Byrd said.
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Players Mentioned

Zahkyrah Carter

#1 Zahkyrah Carter

G
5' 3"
Sophomore
Brya Byrd

#4 Brya Byrd

G
5' 3"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Zahkyrah Carter

#1 Zahkyrah Carter

5' 3"
Sophomore
G
Brya Byrd

#4 Brya Byrd

5' 3"
Sophomore
G