VOL. 4: The Standard of Excellence: Celebrating Emily Kiser

For the fourth edition of SBIC Journal, we turn our attention to International Women’s Month by highlighting a female athlete who embodies the grit, intelligence and leadership of Michigan Basketball. Before the current stars took the floor at Crisler, Emily Kiser spent five years defining what it means to be an elite-level athlete. Kiser was the heartbeat of a golden era for the Wolverines. 

Her Standard

What made Emily so special wasn’t just her playing record, though her stats were undeniably top-tier. It was her point-forward mentality and her ability to think far ahead of opponents. During her final season with the Wolverines, she became one of the most versatile threats in the Big Ten, averaging nearly 16 points and 7 rebounds per game while also leading the team in minutes. 

Her best qualities, resilience and adaptability, were on full display during Michigan’s historic 2022 Elite Eight run. Kiser was the ultimate high-post facilitator, a player who could hit the mid-range jumper, anchor the defense, and find the open shooter with a precise pass. Few other college stars resembled her style. She played with a “first-one-in, last-one-out” mentality that set the culture for the locker room, proving that leadership is as much about setting screens and diving for loose balls as it is about scoring. 

Signature Moments and the Big Stage

When looking back at Kiser’s highlight reel, her performance in the 2023 season stands out as a masterclass in consistency. One of her most memorable games came against (then) No. 6 North Carolina in the Jumpman Invitational, where she put up 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead Michigan to a significant top-10 win. She also left us with one of the most dominant individual performances in program history, securing a career-high 34 points on 14-of-17 shooting against Rutgers. She had a knack of staying steady when the pressure soared, frequently serving as the stabilizing force whenever the offense went cold. Whether it was a crucial “and-one” layup against Ohio State or a defensive stand in the closing seconds of a tournament game, Kiser was the player Coach Kim Barnes Arico trusted to make the right decisions. 

From Ann Arbor to the European Stage

The hallmark of a great athlete is the ability to take their game to the next level, and Kiser has done that. After an impressive professional debut in Greece with Eleftheria Moschatou, she took her talents to one of the most historic sporting cities in the world. 

Emily is currently an anchor for ALBA Berlin in the German DBBL (Damien Basketball Bundesliga). Transitioning to a powerhouse club in Germany and competing in the EuroCup is a grueling test of character. Her professional start required mastering a faster, more physical international style of playing. She has showcased her efficient shooting and high basketball IQ to Berlin that once electrified Crisler. Her journey from backup forward early in her college career to a professional standout in Europe serves as a powerful example for any young athlete. Emily set a standard of excellence that continues to echo inspiration for the next generation of exceptional athletes.