Kentucky basketball just landed another No. 1 recruiting class, but this time, it’s Kenny Brooks’ women’s program leading the charge. Surprise.
Four-star combo guard Emily McDonald (5-11) from Long Island Lutheran (NY) committed to Kentucky on Wednesday, choosing the Wildcats over a loaded list that included North Carolina, Indiana, Maryland, and South Carolina. That gives the Cats one of their best overall recruiting classes in history.
McDonald joins an elite class
McDonald, ranked No. 36 nationally and No. 2 among combo guards by 247Sports, joins an already impressive 2026 group featuring:
- Maddyn Greenway, 4★ PG (No. 8 overall) – Providence Academy (MN)
- Savvy Swords, 4★ SF (No. 14 overall) – Long Island Lutheran (NY)
Together, they form the No. 1 ranked class in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite. That is quite the feat for Kenny Brooks in year two. Of course Mark Pope isn't far behind, with momentum showing that Tyran Stokes could commit any day to the men's program. But for now, it is all about the women.
Scouting the newest Wildcat
Per 247Sports’ evaluation, McDonald is a big guard who fills the stat sheet and competes at a high level. She starred for a Long Island Lutheran team stacked with Power Four recruits, and her versatility allows her to play either point guard or shooting guard.
Her style complements Brooks’ up-tempo system and adds another physical, high-IQ perimeter threat to Kentucky’s future rotation. You can't have too many of those.
Brooks building for the future
After a rocky offseason, including the Cassidy Rowe controversy and lingering questions from his Virginia Tech tenure, Kenny Brooks is finding redemption through recruiting.
Landing three elite prospects from multiple regions shows that his message is resonating nationally. The question now is whether that momentum can translate into SEC wins and a return to national relevance.
For now, Big Blue Nation can celebrate: Kentucky basketball once again sits atop the recruiting mountain, just not the one most fans expected.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion