About Carolyn
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SOCIAL MEDIA
@CarolynSwords |
@swo30 |
April 11, 2011 | Drafted by Chicago in the second round (No. 15 overall) of the 2011 WNBA Draft |
April 10, 2014 | Waived by Chicago |
Feb. 2, 2015 | Signed by New York |
Jan. 30, 2017 | Acquired by Seattle in a three-team trade which saw the Storm send their first (No. 6) and second round picks (No. 18) in the 2017 WNBA Draft to Washington; New York send Swords to Seattle; and Washington send Kia Vaughn and Bria Hartley to New York, and the Mystics’ second round pick (No. 15 overall) to Seattle |
Feb. 1, 2018 | Signed as a free agent by Las Vegas |
Feb. 24, 2020 | Announced her retirement |
May 19, 2020 | Signed as a free agent by Las Vegas |
WNBA CAREER
Career Highlights
- Played in the WNBA Finals in 2020
- Heading into the 2021 season, has the 12th highest career field goal percentage in WNBA history
- Heading into the 2021 season, has the 17th highest career offensive rebound percentage (11.14) in WNBA history (minimum 3,000 minutes played)
- Worked for the Aces during the 2018-19 offseason, helping to launch the Lace Up Mentorship Program and the Slam Dunk Health Challenge community platforms
- Was hired by the Aces as a marketing specialist following her retirement following the 2019 season.
- Un-retired prior to the start of the 2020 season when it was determined that centers Liz Cambage and JiSu Park would not be with the team that year
2020 (Las Vegas—)
- Played the second most minutes of her career
- Averaged the second most rebounds per game of her career
- Led or tied for the team lead in rebounding on 2 occasions and in assists 1 time
- Scored a season-high 8 points vs. Chixago on July 26
- Grabbed a season-high 8 rebounds at Seattle on September 13
- Handed out a season-high 3 assists vs. Atlanta on July 29
2019 (Las Vegas—)
- Led the WNBA in offensive rebound percentage (18.2), and was 7th in the league in overall rebound percentage (16.2).
- Led or tied for the team lead in rebounds on 1 occasion.
- Scored 10 or more points 2 times and grabbed 10 or more boards 1 time
- Recorded the third double-double of her career with 13 points and 10 boards at Dallas on August 3
2018 (Las Vegas—Photo Gallery)
- Ranked 28th in the league in rebounds per game, establishing a career-high (4.7 rpg)
- Ranked 4th in the league in rebound percentage (18.1), 10th in defensive rebound percentage (22.7), and 2nd in offensive rebound percentage (13.4)
- Led or tied for the team lead in rebounds on 4 occasions
- Scored 10 or more points 3 times and grabbed 10 or more boards 3 times
- Recorded the first 2 double-doubles of her career—11 points and 11 rebounds on July 13 at Minnesota, and a season-high 12 points and 10 rebounds on July 22 vs. Indiana
- Grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds vs. Chicago on July 5
- Blocked a season-high 4 shots vs. Indiana on July 22
2017 (Seattle)
- Scored a season-high 10 points at Washington on September 1
- Grabbed a season-high 5 rebounds vs. Connecticut on July 12
2016 (New York)
- Won the July WNBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by State Farm
- Ranked 26th in the league in blocks and 28th in rebounding
- Finished 2nd on the team in FG%
- Scored a season-high 15 pts at Chicago on Sept. 16
- Grabbed a season-high 11 boards on 3 occasions
- Blocked a season-high 4 shots vs. Atlanta on July 13
2015 (New York)
- Ranked 29th in the league in rebounding, and 25th in blocks
- Ranked 4th in the WNBA in offensive rebound percentage (11.8)
- Scored a season-high 12 points 2 times
- Grabbed a season-high 10 boards vs. Connecticut on September 9
- Picked up a season-high 3 steals, and blocked a career-high 5 shots at Atlanta on June 21
2014 (Unsigned Free Agent)
- Sat out the season with a knee injury
2013 (Chicago)
- Scored a season-high 12 points at New York on July 18
- Grabbed a season-high 7 rebounds at New York on July 7
- Blocked a season-high 3 shots vs. New York on July 20
2012 (Chicago)
- Scored a season-high 16 points and grabbed a season-high 9 rebounds vs. Atlanta on September 20
2011 (Chicago)
- Recorded season highs of 9 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots, along with a career-high 4 assists at Minnesota on September 8
- Carolyn Swords Was Working In The Las Vegas Aces’ Front Office. Now, She’s On The Roster For The WNBA Finals (October 2, 2020)
- Mass. WNBA Players Look To Use Restart As A Platform For Social Justice Initiatives (Jul 3, 2020)
- Las Vegas Aces Re-Sign Carolyn Swords (May 20, 2020)
- WNBA Free Agency: What Carolyn Swords’ retirement says about level of competition, talent in WNBA (February 26, 2020)
- Aces center Carolyn Swords retires to join team’s business staff (February 24, 2020)
- WNBA star Carolyn Swords on league’s historic deal (January 17, 2020)
- A Cool Hang At Stirling Club, And A Crash Course In Driving At Plaza (March 22, 2019)
- Las Vegas Aces Lend A Hand With Habitat For Humanity House (March 8, 2019)
- Aces Carolyn Swords Spending Offseason Serving Las Vegas Community (March 3, 2019)
- Aces Center Carolyn Swords Explains WNBA Opting Out Of CBA (November 7, 2018)
- How Some WNBA Players Are Spending Their Offseason Instead Of Going Overseas (October 11, 2018)
- Aces Center Carolyn Swords Comes Up Big Off Bench (July 22, 2018)
- A Chat With NY Liberty Star Carolyn Swords (August 20, 2015)
- What Everybody Ought To Know About Carolyn Swords (August 13, 2015)
2017-18 [Gorzow Wlkp—Poland (EBLK)]
- Named All-Polish BLK Honorable Mention
- Named Played of the Week in Round 11
- Scored in double figures on 19 occasions, including six games of 20 or more points, and a season-high 32 vs. MKK Diedlce on December 3
- Grabbed 10 or more rebounds on 11 occasions, including a season-high 15 vs. AZS UMCS on October 14
- Handed out a season-high 5 assists on two occasions
- Blocked a season-high 4 shots on three occasions
- Recorded a season-high 3 steals vs. TS Ostrovia on September 23
2017-18 [Gorzow Wlkp—EuroCup (EC)]
- Scored in double figures on 2 occasions. including a season-high 17 vs. TTT Riga on November 23
- Grabbed 10 or more rebounds on 4 occasions, including a season-high 14 on two occasions
- Recorded 1 double-double
- Handed out a season-high 6 assists vs. TTT Riga on October 19
- Blocked a season-high 3 shots vs Besiktas on October 26
2016-17 [Gdynia—Poland (EBLK)]
- Named All-Polish BLK Honorable Mention
- Won regular season championship, and advanced to the EEWBL Semifinals
- Named All-EEWBL Center of the Year and Import of the Year, as well as to the First-Team, All-EEWBL and EEWBL All-Imports Team
- Named TBLK Player of the Week in Round 12
- Scored in double figures on 21 occasions, including 16 straight from December 10 through March 25
- Scored 20 or more points on 7 occasions, and a season-high 32 vs. Energa Torun on December 10
- Grabbed 10 or more rebounds on 10 occasions, including a season-high 18 vs. Artego Bydg. on October 16
- Recorded 9 double-doubles
- Blocked a season-high 3 shots vs. CCC Polkowice on February 26
- Recorded 5 steals vs. AZS AJP GW on October 8
2016-17 [Gdynia—Eastern European (EEWBL)]
- Scored in double figures on 7 occasions, including 3 games of 20 or more
- Scored a season-high 27 points vs. Dynamo M. on December 4
- Grabbed a season-high 9 rebounds on 2 occasions
2015-16 [Sydney Uni Flames—Australia (WNBL)]
- Scored in double figures on 10 occasions, including a season-high 25 points vs. SEQ on October 30
- Grabbed 10 or more rebounds in 6 occasions, including a season-high 13 vs. Dandenong on November 28
- Blocked a season-high 4 shots vs. Perth on January 7
- Recorded a season-high 3 steals vs. Townsville on December 13
- Handed out a season-high 5 assists vs. Adelaide on October 17
- Finished third on the team in scoring and first in rebounding and field goal percentage
2014-15 [Umbertide—Italy (A1)]
- Named to the All-Italian A1 Honorable Mention Team
- Team advanced to the Italian Cup Semifinals
- Finished second on the team in scoring and rebounding, and led the team in field goal percentage
2012-13 [Ceyhan Belediyespor—Turkey (TKBL)]
- Team advanced to the Turkish Cup Semifinals
- Led the team in scoring and field goal percentage, while finishing second in rebounding
2011-12 [Soller Joventud Mariana—Spain (LFB)]
- Scored 10 or more points on 7 occasions, and 20 or more points two times
- Grabbed 10 or more rebound son 4 occasions, including a season-high 15 vs. Uni Girona on October 29
- Posted four double-doubles … Scored a season-high 22 points vs. UNB Obenesa on December 21
- Recorded a season-high five steals vs Hondar.-Irun on December 10
2011-12 [Istanbul U.—Turkey (TKBL)]
- Scored 10 or more points on 8 occasions, including a season-high 17 vs, Botas on February 5
- Grabbed 10 or more rebounds on 8 occasions, including season-high 17 vs Antakya on February 8
- Recorded 6 double-doubles
- Blocked a season-high 3 shots vs. Besiktas on March 18
OVERSEAS STATISTICS
Year | Team | League | G | Min | FG | FGA | FG% | 3G | 3GA | 3G% | FT | FTA | FT% | OR | DR | REB | A | S | B | TO | PF | PTS | Avg |
2011-12 | Joventud Mariana | LFB | 11 | 330 | 63 | 99 | .636 | 0 | 0 | —- | 22 | 33 | .667 | 30 | 62 | 92 | 13 | 17 | 10 | 21 | 29 | 148 | 13.5 |
2011-12 | Istanbul U. | TKBL | 12 | 360 | 61 | 109 | .560 | 0 | 0 | —- | 21 | 31 | .677 | 46 | 84 | 130 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 26 | 37 | 143 | 11.9 |
2012-13 | Ceyhan Belediyespor | TKBL | 28 | 781 | 192 | 283 | .678 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 70 | 98 | .714 | 84 | 143 | 227 | 25 | 28 | 17 | 67 | 90 | 454 | 16.3 |
2014-15 | Umbertide | A1 | 26 | 679 | 147 | 242 | .607 | 0 | 0 | —- | 55 | 73 | .753 | 52 | 143 | 195 | 13 | 29 | 29 | 65 | 83 | 348 | 13.4 |
2015-16 | Sydney Uni | WNBL | 17 | 371 | 82 | 122 | .672 | 0 | 0 | —- | 42 | 56 | .750 | 41 | 78 | 118 | 29 | 11 | 17 | 35 | 63 | 206 | 12.1 |
2016-17 | Gdynia | EBLK | 25 | 680 | 176 | 286 | .615 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 69 | 86 | .802 | 71 | 152 | 223 | 43 | 23 | 23 | 77 | 75 | 421 | 16.8 |
2016-17 | Gdynia | EEWBL | 8 | 195 | 59 | 87 | .678 | 0 | 0 | —- | 25 | 38 | .658 | 13 | 35 | 48 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 143 | 17.9 |
2017-18 | Gorzow Wlkp | BLK | 26 | 740 | 146 | 238 | .613 | 0 | 1 | .000 | 80 | 99 | .808 | 76 | 157 | 233 | 43 | 20 | 35 | 52 | 82 | 372 | 14.3 |
2017-18 | Gorzow Wlkp | EC | 6 | 169 | 25 | 45 | .556 | 0 | 0 | —- | 5 | 8 | .625 | 17 | 40 | 57 | 16 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 14 | 169 | 9.2 |
Spanish League (LFB) | 11 | 330 | 63 | 99 | .636 | 0 | 0 | —- | 22 | 33 | .667 | 30 | 62 | 92 | 13 | 17 | 10 | 21 | 29 | 148 | 13.5 | ||
Turkish League (TKBL) | 40 | 1141 | 253 | 392 | .645 | 1 | 1 | 1.000 | 91 | 129 | .705 | 120 | 227 | 357 | 34 | 36 | 29 | 93 | 127 | 597 | 14.9 | ||
Italian League (A1) | 26 | 679 | 147 | 242 | .607 | 0 | 0 | —- | 55 | 73 | .753 | 52 | 143 | 195 | 13 | 29 | 29 | 65 | 83 | 348 | 13.4 | ||
Australian League (WNBL) | 17 | 371 | 82 | 122 | .672 | 0 | 0 | —- | 42 | 56 | .750 | 41 | 78 | 118 | 29 | 11 | 17 | 35 | 63 | 206 | 12.1 | ||
Polish League (EBLK) | 61 | 1420 | 322 | 524 | .615 | 0 | 2 | .000 | 149 | 185 | .805 | 147 | 309 | 456 | 86 | 43 | 58 | 129 | 157 | 793 | 15.5 | ||
Eastern European League (EEWBL) | 8 | 195 | 59 | 87 | .678 | 0 | 0 | —- | 25 | 38 | .658 | 13 | 35 | 48 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 143 | 17.9 | ||
EuroCup (EC) | 6 | 169 | 25 | 45 | .556 | 0 | 0 | —- | 5 | 8 | .625 | 17 | 40 | 57 | 16 | 4 | 5 | 17 | 14 | 169 | 9.2 | ||
Totals | 156 | 4305 | 951 | 1511 | .629 | 1 | 3 | .333 | 389 | 522 | .745 | 430 | 894 | 1323 | 201 | 144 | 151 | 371 | 488 | 2404 | 15.1 |
Career (Boston College, 2007-11)
- Finished her BC career ranking first in career rebounds, blocked shots, field goal percentage and game played, and second in scoring
- Finished her career with 110 double-figure scoring efforts and 50 games with double-digit rebounds
Senior (Boston College, 2010-11)
- Team Captain
- Team earned WNIT Berth
- Honorable Mention, All-American (AP)
- All-ACC First Team
- Top 30 Midseason Naismith Watch List
- Wade Trophy Watch List
- John R. Wooden Award Preseason Watch List
- ACC Player of the Week (November 29, January 24)
- ACC Postgraduate Scholarship honoree
- All-ACC Academic Team
- All-ACC Honor Roll
- Athletic Director’s Award For Academic Achievement
- Led the nation in field goal percentage
- Recorded a program record 16 point-rebound double-doubles, and finished with 36 in her collegiate career
- Led the team in scoring and rebounding on the season
- Scored a season-high 28 points vs. Harvard
- Scored the 2,000th point of her career on March 19 vs. St. Joseph’s
Junior (Boston College, 2009-10)
- Team Captain
- All-ACC First Team
- All-ACC Tournament Team
- John R. Wooden Award Preseason Watch List
- Naismith Preseason Watch List
- ACC Player of the Week (November 30)
- All-ACC Academic Team
- All-ACC Honor Roll
- Athletic Director’s Award For Academic Achievement
- Led the nation in field goal percentage
- Led the ACC in rebounds per game
- Led the team in scoring on 11 occasions, and in rebounding 22 times
- Scored 10 or more points on 26 occasions, and grabbed 10 or more rebounds 13 times
- Recorded 12 double-doubles
- Scored the 1,000th point of her career on November 14 vs. Harvard
- Set a program record by making 15 field goals in a game vs. Holy Cross on November 18
Sophomore (Boston College, 2008-09)
- Team earned WNIT Berth (Final Four)
- WNIT All-Tournament Team
- All-ACC Second Team
- All-ACC Tournament
- ACC Player of the Week (December 15, January 12)
- All-ACC Academic Team
- All-ACC Honor Roll
- COSIDA Academic All-District District 1 Team
- Athletic Director’s Award For Academic Achievement
- Led the nation in field goal percentage
- Scored a career-high 33 points vs. Holy Cross on November 18
- Set the program record for single-season rebounds with 316
- Led the team in scoring and rebounding on the season
- Led the team in scoring on 14 occasions, and in rebounding 25 times
- Scored in double figures on 30 occasions
- Recorded 8 double-doubles
Freshman (Boston College, 2007-08)
- Team earned WNIT Berth
- All-ACC Freshman Team
- Four Time ACC Rookie of the Week
- All-ACC Academic Team
- All-ACC Honor Roll
- Athletic Director’s Award For Academic Achievement
- Was the second leading scorer and rebounder on the team
- Led the team in scoring on 15 occasions and in rebounding 11 times
- Recorded 5 double-doubles
- Scored in double figures on 26 occasions
COLLEGE STATISTICS
Year | Team | League | G | GS | Min | FG | FGA | FG% | 3G | 3GA | 3G% | FT | FTA | FT% | OR | DR | REB | A | S | B | TO | PF | PTS | Avg |
2007-08 | Boston College | ACC | 33 | 33 | 992 | 192 | 299 | .642 | 0 | 0 | —- | 67 | 109 | .615 | 80 | 161 | 241 | 47 | 31 | 38 | 96 | 92 | 451 | 13.7 |
2008-09 | Boston College | ACC | 35 | 35 | 959 | 230 | 339 | .678 | 0 | 0 | —- | 78 | 117 | .667 | 126 | 190 | 316 | 32 | 34 | 48 | 98 | 108 | 538 | 15.4 |
2009-10 | Boston College | ACC | 32 | 32 | 871 | 188 | 283 | .664 | 0 | 0 | —- | 85 | 107 | .794 | 112 | 178 | 290 | 31 | 29 | 44 | 80 | 99 | 461 | 14.4 |
2010-11 | Boston College | ACC | 33 | 33 | 900 | 240 | 336 | .714 | 0 | 0 | —- | 99 | 132 | .750 | 114 | 198 | 312 | 40 | 25 | 48 | 71 | 80 | 579 | 17.5 |
Totals | 133 | 33 | 3722 | 850 | 1257 | .676 | 0 | 0 | —- | 329 | 465 | .708 | 432 | 727 | 1159 | 150 | 119 | 178 | 345 | 379 | 2029 | 15.3 |
- Was the 2006-07 Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year
- Was a member of the 2006-07 Boston Herald Dream Team
- Is a two-time member of the Boston Globe Super Team
- MVP of the Dual County League
- Three-time DCL All-Star
- Helped Lincoln-Sudbury capture the Division 2 Massachusetts State Championship
- Averaged 20 points and 11 rebounds a game and finished her career with 1,212 total points
- 2006 Herald All-Scholastic
- Three-time All-Metrowest Newspaper first-team selection
- Team captain in 2006-07
- Has a brother, John, and sister, Marybeth
- She and her siblings grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts with their Aunt Susan Halliday and cousins Rob and Russ, who both played lacrosse at Bowdoin
- A National Honor Society student and a member of the Cum Laude Society
- Graduated from Boston College with a degree in communications