The battle for one of the top women's basketball players in the 2026 recruiting class ended on Saturday, but unfortunately the Gamecocks came up short this time. Savvy Swords, a five-star small forward who is ranked No. 11 in the nation by On3, announced her commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats, choosing Lexington over other powerhouse programs like the Gamecocks, Notre Dame, Michigan, and UCLA. The 6-foot-1 wing out of Long Island Lutheran in New York is known for her power and two-way potential on the court. She is now a cornerstone commitment for Kentucky for the Wildcats head coach Kenny Brooks.
Swords shared the news on her Instagram account with a Wildcat blue-and-white flair, posting: "Big blue business🤍💙 Let's work #committed.”
Savvy is the younger sister of Michigan standout Syla Swords, who has average 16 points and earned All-Big Ten and Freshman All-American honors this past year. Savvy will bring championship pedigree and national attention to the Wildcats program.
While South Carolina women's head coach Dawn Staley rarely misses on top-tier talent, she is still reloading the Gamecocks roster with elite talent. Staley is a four-time Naismith Coach of the Year and three-time national champion. Under Staley, Columbia boasts nine SEC regular-season titles, nine SEC tournament trophies, and five straight Final Four appearances. So, building a dynasty is an easy feat for her Lady Gamecocks.