KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan women's basketball team and head coach Kate Achter have announced the addition of Kailey Starks for the 2025-26 season. 

Starks, a 5-foot-7 guard, played her freshman season for Achter at Detroit Mercy. The Evanston, Ill., native appeared in 30 games, making five starts and averaged 20.1 minutes per game. She averaged 5.2 points per game, reaching double-digits six times, including a career-high 16 points in a double-overtime win over Valparaiso. She also had a career-high nine rebounds against the Beacons, just missing out on her first career double-double. She was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman team. 

"I am so happy to continue my journey with Kailey," said Achter. "She completely embodies what we look for in our student-athletes. Her motor is unbelievably high, she is a great student, and above all else an incredible human. Kailey is as tough as they come and has never wavered in the face of competition. I feel so fortunate to have her continued trust, and I can't wait to see her growth this season. Fans are going to absolutely love her." 

Starks was a four-year letter winner at Evanston Township High School, where she scored 1,115 career points. She was a Third Team All-State selection as a senior, also earning Associated Press All-State Honorable Mention. Starks was selected to her conference's All-Defensive team three of the four years in her career and was a four-year member of the Honor Roll.