Women’s Basketball Signs NJCAA All-American Kara Bartels for 2025-26
4/28/2025 1:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Chippewas add dominant inside presence and Michigan-native from Lansing Community College
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Central Michigan Women's Basketball signed Kara Bartels (West Olive, Mich. / Zeeland West) for the 2025-26 season after a successful two-year stint at NJCAA II Lansing Community College (LCC), Head Coach Kristin Haynie announced Monday.
"Kara is the kind of player every coach wants—has a high motor, great hands, a presence in the post and runs the floor hard," Coach Haynie said. "On top of that, she comes from a strong basketball family and carries herself with high character.
"She is not only a great addition on the court, but the community is going to love her as well."
The 6-foot-3 center joins the Chippewas as a NJCAA II All-American and two-time Michigan Community College Athletic Association Player of the Year in the organization's Western Conference. Bartels tallied 26 double-doubles across 63 appearances—56 starts—for the Stars, setting career highs of 36 points, 19 rebounds in a performance at Lake Michigan College (Feb. 15). She led the Stars in points and rebounds in both seasons.
Bartels is also a prolific shot-blocker, leading LCC with 3.4 per game over two seasons. She posted 13 games with five-plus blocks, one of which triggered a double-double with a career-high 13 blocks to go with 11 points against Southwestern Michigan (Feb. 19).
A 2023 graduate of Zeeland West High School, Bartels led the Dux as a two-time first-team All-Ottawa Kent Conference selection. She also played club basketball for the Michigan Basketball Association from 2017-23.
"I chose CMU because the coaches and the team were incredibly welcoming from the start," Bartels said. "They made me feel like I was already a part of the family and that stood out to me! It was clear the coaches truly cared about their players not only as athletes but as people.
"I was also really impressed by how many resources are available to help students succeed. It is comforting to know that there are so many people who want to see you do well not only on the court but also in the classroom."
Central Michigan Women's Basketball returned to the Mid-American Conference Championship tournament for the first time since 2021 in the second season under Coach Haynie. The Chippewas improved by eight wins overall, five in league play from the first to second year, finishing at 14-17 (9-9 MAC).
"Kara is the kind of player every coach wants—has a high motor, great hands, a presence in the post and runs the floor hard," Coach Haynie said. "On top of that, she comes from a strong basketball family and carries herself with high character.
"She is not only a great addition on the court, but the community is going to love her as well."
The 6-foot-3 center joins the Chippewas as a NJCAA II All-American and two-time Michigan Community College Athletic Association Player of the Year in the organization's Western Conference. Bartels tallied 26 double-doubles across 63 appearances—56 starts—for the Stars, setting career highs of 36 points, 19 rebounds in a performance at Lake Michigan College (Feb. 15). She led the Stars in points and rebounds in both seasons.
Bartels is also a prolific shot-blocker, leading LCC with 3.4 per game over two seasons. She posted 13 games with five-plus blocks, one of which triggered a double-double with a career-high 13 blocks to go with 11 points against Southwestern Michigan (Feb. 19).
A 2023 graduate of Zeeland West High School, Bartels led the Dux as a two-time first-team All-Ottawa Kent Conference selection. She also played club basketball for the Michigan Basketball Association from 2017-23.
"I chose CMU because the coaches and the team were incredibly welcoming from the start," Bartels said. "They made me feel like I was already a part of the family and that stood out to me! It was clear the coaches truly cared about their players not only as athletes but as people.
"I was also really impressed by how many resources are available to help students succeed. It is comforting to know that there are so many people who want to see you do well not only on the court but also in the classroom."
Central Michigan Women's Basketball returned to the Mid-American Conference Championship tournament for the first time since 2021 in the second season under Coach Haynie. The Chippewas improved by eight wins overall, five in league play from the first to second year, finishing at 14-17 (9-9 MAC).
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