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At just 18, Michigan Wolverines guard Syla Swords has achieved what many budding basketball players can only dream of. Before she became Michigan women's basketball's highest-ranked recruit, she was a high school sensation. Playing for the Long Island Lutheran, she was instrumental in her team’s 2023 Class AA New York State Federation Tournament of Champions title victory.
In her first high school season, she posted an excellent average of 14.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Continuing her momentum in her senior year as well, Swords averaged an impressive 17.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 3.0 steals per game.
Her exceptional run in her senior year enabled her to win the New York Gatorade Player of the Year. She was also named first-team All-Long Island by Newsday and then made a spot on the World Team in 2024. Her exemplary high school basketball career made her a five-star prospect and the No. 4 player in the 2024 class, per ESPN.
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What Do Syla Swords and Kiyan Anthony Have in Common?
Syla Swords lived up to her status as the highest-ranked recruit in program history for Michigan in her college debut against top-seeded South Carolina. Breaking through the opponent’s defense, Swords put up a useful 27 points and 12 rebounds. Although she could not prevent her team's narrow 62-68 loss, she managed to impress everyone with her performance.
However, her fearless charge in her college debut could be attributed to her formative years at LuHi, where she honed her skills and bloomed into a top-rated basketball player with an aggressive playing style.
Syla Swords moved from Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School to Long Island Lutheran in 2022. Interestingly, LuHi is renowned for nurturing basketball talents. The most notable prospect in recent times is Kiyan Anthony, son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony. Kiyan transferred to LuHi from Christ the King High School and quickly made a name for himself as one of the top shooting guards in the class of 2025.
LuHi transformed Syla Swords into a formidable player as well, and she went on to make a name on national and international levels. As a member of the Canadian women's national basketball team, she became the youngest basketball player to compete in the Olympics in Canada’s history. She has kickstarted her college career with a bang against a formidable opponent (South Carolina). It will be interesting to see how she performs in the coming year.
