Swider Picks Youngstown State
It was just announced that Rhode Island native Connor Swider, of Worcester Academy and BCRI, has committed to Youngstown State University.
The Swider name has become prominent in New England basketball, with Connor being the youngest of four talented siblings. Both of his parents also played Division I basketball—his mother, Jenny, at the University of New Hampshire, and his father, Jeff, at Fordham University.
The eldest sibling, Cole, has made his way into the NBA, spending time on two-way contracts with the Lakers and Heat before signing with the Pacers this offseason. Next is Kylie, who is currently doing a grad season at Stonehill after four years with the Villanova Wildcats. Following her is Courtney, a sophomore at the University of Richmond.
Now, it’s Connor’s turn as he enters his final year of prep school at Worcester Academy.
Coming up in such a basketball-centric household comes with its own set of expectations, but Connor has embraced the challenge:
“Growing up in a basketball family had a lot of impact on the player I am today,” he said. “Seeing my siblings Cole, Kylie, and Courtney turn into highly rated recruits out of high school and watching how hard they worked pushed me every day," he added.
Though the pressure could be daunting, Connor took it in stride.
“It came with a lot of pressure, but I always knew I loved pressure. Being the youngest in the family, I have always had a chip on my shoulder, and that has helped me grow throughout my journey.”
Swider acknowledges the immense impact his family has had on his development: “First and foremost, I want to thank my parents for always pushing me to become a better player and a better person. My brother and sisters gave me a great understanding of what it takes to become a high-level basketball player and always wanted me to be better.”
Connor himself has evolved into a strong player. In recent months, he received offers from Youngstown State and Le Moyne, with additional interest from other schools. At 6’9", Swider brings outside shooting prowess to the wing position, with a quick release and significant untapped upside. His game has continued to be trending upward, reflected by his growing recruitment and consistent hard work.
Swider’s recent success with his BCRI team on the HGSL circuit, along with a strong season at Worcester Academy, helped him elevate his name and continue to advance in his development. He took a moment to express his gratitude to the coaches who have supported him.
“Thank you to Coach Jamie Sullivan and Coach Dan Sullivan for believing in me and giving me the platform to succeed at Worcester Academy. And thank you to Coach Kyle Vanrossum from BCRI for allowing me to play with a lot of freedom and trusting me, which really helped my development.”
When asked about his decision to commit to Youngstown State, Swider explained: “I chose YSU because the coaching staff made me feel at home, and I believe I can flourish there, both on and off the court. The development plan they have made me fall in love with the school even more. There's proof that players with my size and versatility can succeed there.”
With one more season at Worcester Academy, the Rhode Island native will look to finish strong before heading to Youngstown.
Connor Swider