Skip to main content

What Elsa Vadfors' commitment means for Kentucky WBB

Screenshot 2023-11-10 at 1.25.30 PMby:Phoenix Stevens05/19/25

PStevensKSR

what-elsa-vadfors-commitment-means-for-kentucky-wbb
Graphic of Elsa Vadfors via UK Athletics

On Sunday, Big Blue Nation was caught by surprise when Kentucky received a commitment from 6-foot-5 Swedish center Elsa Vadfors. At just 19 years of age, Vadfors will come in as a freshman and add some extra depth in the paint. Here’s what her commitment means for the program.

More than likely that the roster is complete

It feels pretty safe to say that Kentucky’s 2025-26 roster is complete. Kenny Brooks and the staff were in the hunt for one more big to bolster the post position, and they got what they were looking for.

Clara Strack was always going to be the starter at the five, so it was just a matter of finding a role player to complement her.

Provides immediate insurance, but could be a key piece later on

As far as this upcoming season goes, Vadfors is — ideally — going to provide insurance down low more than anything. If and when Strack comes out of the game, Vadfors can step onto the floor and hold things down. Teonni Key and even Amelia Hassett could also slide down to the center spot if the staff wanted to play small ball too.

There’s a lot that they could do with the frontcourt, and Vadfors’ addition only adds to that.

Shouldn’t drastically alter high school recruiting efforts

While getting Vadfors is nice, reeling her in doesn’t completely change how the staff will go about recruiting, especially in the 2026 class.

Olivia Vukosa, the No. 4 prospect in On3’s Women’s Basketball Recruiting Rankings, is the one true post player that the staff is really targeting in the 2026 class. Otherwise, it’s just a mix of guards and wings. So, there’s no need for the staff to really shift their recruiting efforts. Again, getting Vadfors is great, but you can’t just stop recruiting a top five prospect like Vukosa, especially when you have as good a chance to land her as anyone.

Want more Kentucky WBB Recruiting Coverage? Join KSR+

KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of a busy offseason for the Kentucky women’s basketball program, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club.

Discuss This Article

Comments have moved.

Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.

KSBoard

2025-05-21