No. 23 Emily McDonald Commits to Kentucky, Boosting Wildcats’ 2026 Backcourt

She cited Kenny Brooks’ player development as the deciding factor.

Overview

McDonald, a 6-foot guard from Glen Head, New York, announced her pledge to Kentucky on Wednesday.
She chose the Wildcats over finalists South Carolina, UCLA, Michigan and North Carolina.
Ranked No. 23 in the SC Next 100 for 2026, she climbed from No. 39 after a strong summer on the Power 24 circuit.
Her commitment joins No. 13 Maddyn Greenway and No. 19 Savvy Swords, forming a complementary guard trio for Kentucky.
ESPN’s analysis places Kentucky in the conversation for the top 2026 recruiting class alongside Indiana.