(KB - 10/23/05) Comets guard Briyanna Blair has committed verbally to the University of Miami. Blair is a junior. She becomes the first Comets player to commit to a college.

Blair is an original Comet. She has carved out a niche as a defensive stopper. She uses her quick hands to tip the ball away from ballhandlers then dives under them to make steals on the floor.

It is this defensive intensity that first drew the attention of Hurricanes coach Katie Maier. The 'Canes made Briyanna an early priority and were rewarded with her early verbal.

Blair will join a team with at least two of her former Florida competitors. The Canes have signed Norland's Eboni Sadler for 2006. They also have Winter Haven's Brittany Denson, who is a freshman this year and will be a junior when Briyanna arrives on campus.

These three Florida stars will help Miami in the always tough ACC where they will compete with Final Four schools Duke, Maryland and North Carolina.