A few days back, five-star wing Savvy Swords, ranked No. 18 nationally in the ESPN HoopGurlz 60, committed to Kentucky, becoming the newest elite recruit to join Kenny Brooks in Lexington.
At 6-foot-1, Swords brings a college-ready frame and is a confident, versatile three-level scorer. Her style of play aligns perfectly with the tough, skilled identity Brooks is cultivating in his second year and beyond.
But is Swords the highest-ranked recruit in program history?
Not quite but she’s close.
That honor still belongs to Linnae Harper, who came to Kentucky in 2013 as the No. 5 overall recruit. Known for her aggressive defense and slashing ability, the Chicago native played two seasons under Matthew Mitchell before transferring to Ohio State. During her sophomore year, Harper averaged 11.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, starting 17 of 33 contests. Though her time in Lexington was short, her impact was undeniable.
Now with Swords on board, three of Kentucky’s top four highest-ranked recruits since 2000 have committed under Brooks and he’s just entering his second season.
That trio also includes:
Kaelyn Carroll, a McDonald’s All-American who also ranks No. 18 nationally.
Maddyn Greenway, a 2026 point guard ranked No. 11 in her class, expected to lead the backcourt of the future.
Brooks isn’t just landing top talent he’s building a core foundation. Historically, Kentucky hasn’t been considered a major destination in women’s basketball recruiting, but that’s changing fast.
Under Kenny Brooks, Lexington is quickly becoming a go-to spot for the nation’s best prospects
Let me know if you’d like to reframe this for a press release, newsletter, or social media post!
Leave a Reply