{"id":287544,"date":"2025-10-08T21:42:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T21:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/287544\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T21:42:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T21:42:09","slug":"no-23-emily-mcdonald-commits-to-kentucky-womens-basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/287544\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 23 Emily McDonald commits to Kentucky women’s basketball"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emily McDonald<\/a>, the No. 23 recruit in the girls’ SC Next 100 class of 2026<\/a>, has committed to Kentucky<\/a>, she announced<\/a> Wednesday evening.<\/p>\n

McDonald is the third top commitment in the class for coach Kenny Brooks, following No. 13 Maddyn Greenway<\/a> and No. 19 Savvy Swords<\/a>, McDonald’s Long Island Lutheran teammate.<\/p>\n

“I chose Kentucky because there aren’t many coaches that develop their players like Coach Brooks,” McDonald told ESPN. “I feel their style of play matches how I play perfectly. Overall, it felt like home on my official visit.”<\/p>\n

The 6-foot guard from Glen Head, New York, chose the Wildcats over numerous options, including South Carolina<\/a>, UCLA<\/a>, Michigan<\/a> and North Carolina<\/a>. She has been steadily rising up the ESPN rankings, most recently jumping from No. 39 after a strong showing on the independent Power 24 circuit this summer.<\/p>\n

The combination of Greenway, Swords and McDonald gives Kentucky a complete backcourt look in the 2026 recruiting class.<\/p>\n

McDonald is a skilled shooter, with the ability to read the defense to find open shot opportunities and the advanced handle to create her own shot as well.<\/p>\n

Greenway, a speedy point guard, committed to the Wildcats in November 2024, choosing them over Iowa<\/a>, Duke<\/a>, Clemson<\/a>, UCLA and Stanford<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Swords, the younger sister of Michigan sophomore star Syla Swords<\/a>, is a forward with perimeter skill but the physicality and versatility to rebound and bang inside. She made her commitment in June over finalists South Carolina, UCLA, Michigan and Notre Dame<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The trio fit Kentucky stylistically because they can all shoot the ball. Brooks tends to have quality scoring post players, a heady point guard, and shooters surrounding both those positions on his best rosters.<\/p>\n

McDonald’s commitment also puts Kentucky in the discussion for the top recruiting class for 2026, alongside Indiana<\/a>.<\/p>\n