Top 2026 Prospect Picks Kentucky Over South Carolina in Recruiting Surprise
South Carolina women’s basketball experienced an uncommon recruiting setback as a highly coveted prospect opted to join a fellow SEC rival.
The chase for one of the top players in the 2026 recruiting class came to an end on Saturday, with five-star small forward Savvy Swords committing to the Kentucky Wildcats. Ranked No. 11 nationally by On3, Swords selected Kentucky over a host of elite programs, including South Carolina, Notre Dame, Michigan, and UCLA.
The 6-foot-1 wing from Long Island Lutheran in New York is praised for her strength, versatility, and high ceiling on both ends of the floor. Her decision gives Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks a marquee addition to his recruiting class and a key piece to build around.
Swords announced her commitment on Instagram, styling her post with Kentucky’s signature colors and captioning it: “Big blue business Let’s work committed.”
She follows in the footsteps of her older sister, Syla Swords, who starred at Michigan last season, averaging 16 points per game and earning All-Big Ten and Freshman All-American honors. Like her sister, Savvy is expected to bring a championship mindset and national attention to her new program.
Although Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley rarely loses out on elite recruits, her program remains loaded with top-tier talent. A three-time national champion and four-time Naismith Coach of the Year, Staley has built a dynasty in Columbia — one that includes nine SEC regular-season titles, nine SEC tournament championships, and five consecutive Final Four appearances.
Even with the occasional miss, South Carolina continues to attract the nation’s best — and with Staley at the helm, the Gamecocks remain firmly in the hunt for more titles.
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