The college basketball season is right around the corner, with many top freshmen making their collegiate debuts in the near future.
Among them is Michigan guard Syla Swords, fresh off a run with Team Canada in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Swords headlines the top-ranked class in program history for the Wolverines, and as the fourth-ranked player in the class per ESPN, she’ll soon become the highest ranked player to play for the Michigan women’s basketball team.
There’s a lot to like about this new-look Michigan team, and especially Swords. Here’s everything you need to know about her heading into the 2024-25 season.
Before Michigan: High school accolades, Olympics and International Play
Playing high school ball at Long Island Lutheran in New York, Swords is one of 28 five-stars on ESPNW’s rankings. She’s one of two five-stars joining Michigan this year, along with guard Olivia Olson.
One of the most accomplished high school players last season, Swords was named NYS 2024 Gatorade Player of the Year, and the New York MaxPreps Player of the Year. She was one of three players from her high school to be named a McDonald’s All-American. In her senior season, she averaged 17.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.0 steals per game.
Swords is no stranger to international competition. She competed with Team Canada in several FIBA events, including the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2022, the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, and Olympic qualifying in 2023 before competing for Team Canada in the 2024 Olympics.
She was particularly impressive in the U19 cup, as she averaged 15.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 29.9 minutes per game. She helped Canada earn bronze medals in both the Americup and the FIBA World Cup in 2023.
In the Olympics, Swords appeared in 26 international games, 12 at the senior level. She made Olympic history for her country when she was named to Team Canada’s roster, as she is the youngest woman (18 years old) to ever play for Team Canada at the Olympic Games. She also followed in her father’s footsteps, as Shawn Swords — now the associate head coach of the Long Island Nets, the Brooklyn Nets’ G League affiliate — represented Team Canada in 2000.
In three Olympic games, Swords averaged 3.3 points, one rebound and on assist in just under 15 minutes per game. While those numbers don’t jump exactly off the page, making any sort of positive impact while playing against professional athletes 5-15 years older than her is impressive.
A breakdown of her game
It’s easy to see how Swords is ranked No. 4 in her class. She’s got a great jump shot with a quick release and deep three-point range, with her scoring prowess on full display in a FIBA U19 World Cup third place game last year. Against France in a 80-73 win, she scored 28 points, grabbed six boards and dished six assists while posting a +28 efficiency rating.
Swords is a decisive driver who finishes well at the rim, has excellent court vision, and almost always makes the right play in transition. She has a clear poise with the ball in her hands, almost as if she’s deciphering her next move at warp speed.
In the words of Phil Martelli, Swords is quick, not fast, in transition, making the right play while staying under control and leading her team. She drastically outplayed most of the high school opponents she faced.
Swords is also a solid defender, moving her feet well and making sure to contest shots without fouling. She’s a vocal leader on that end of the floor, calling out assignments for her teammates with ease.
Swords has WNBA potential written all over her, with her court vision, shooting stroke and overall consistency. The fact that she already has Olympic experience before she can legally drink alcohol in the country she competed for shows that she’s not afraid of facing veteran pros; confidence oozes out of her, and she’s got the international resume to back up the hype. Michigan is an excellent decision for her if she wants to play in the W, being that two Michigan players — Naz Hillmon, now thriving with the Atlanta Dream, and Leigha Brown, most recently playing in Spain — have gotten drafted over the last three seasons.
Recent quotes from Swords
Swords appeared on Michigan’s Defend the Block podcast recently, going in-depth on why she chose Michigan and how her Olympic experience helped her.
Here are some of the best quotes from that interview. Reading that last quote may remind Michigan fans of the Fab Five, one of the most iconic teams in Michigan basketball history.
On why she chose Michigan: “Michigan always had faith in me as a player and as a person. They started recruiting me before I came to the states, played for LuHi, started to gain more national recognition, so that was something I thought was really important. They weren’t just like, ‘Oh, you’re a five-star, here’s an offer, like you can come play here.’ They really invested time into getting to know me, getting to know my family, what I like to do. And then me on a basketball court, they were always there. They were in Hungary, my first international tournament when I was 17, they were in Paris, they just followed me and I felt like I really established a connection with coach (Kim Barnes) Arico and the rest of the staff ... I committed fairly early, I think it was spring of my junior year, but I was like, ‘I love it here, like why wait? I’m ready.’”
On how her parents helped her to the Olympics and on her basketball journey: “My dad would have long days, even now with the Brooklyn Nets when we were at LuHi, where he would come in, shoot with us, catch his train at 7:30 and then we’d see him at night. Aside from all the time they’ve put in, I think the best thing they could have done for us was not pressuring us to do any of it, cause that really allowed me and my sister to grow our own passion for the game ... I think that’s the most special thing for basketball we all have as a family — we all just love the game, we’re not forced to be there.”
On Michigan’s success, her freshman class, and trying to make history: “It’s really exciting to know that they’ve gotten so far, they’ve gotten so close, they’ve hosted rounds of the NCAA Tournament, so this program has done so much already and they’ve had a lot of success. But I think especially with the freshman class, the freshman five that we have right now, being able to grow with them throughout the next four years, I think is going to be really special and see what we’re able to do if we stick together and stay true to what is Michigan basketball.”
Conclusion
The sky is the limit for Swords, both at Michigan and beyond. The expectations surrounding her are huge, but she’s talented enough to meet them.
It’s not hyperbole to say she has a chance to be the best Michigan women’s basketball player ever, joining the likes of Hillmon and Katelynn Flaherty, the all-time leading scorer, atop the program’s scoring leaderboard.
Barnes Arico’s program has been on an upward trajectory for a while, with the Wolverines making the NCAA Tournament for six straight seasons, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2022. With Barnes Arico in it for the long haul after signing a contract extension last season, the Wolverines could make some noise in the postseason for years to come.
Swords has the chance to be a bonafide star at Michigan and could contribute in the WNBA right after her college career. If you’re not watching Michigan women’s hoops already, the upside of Swords and this talented 2024 class should draw you in.
