Craig Sword


Craig Sword is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League. He played college basketball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

High school career

Sword played high school basketball for George Washington Carver High School in Montgomery. His senior year, Sword led his team to the 6A state championship was named Alabama Mr. Basketball. Sword was listed as 4-star recruit by Rivals.com, and choose to attend Mississippi State over offers from Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia. While Sword committed to head coach Rick Stansbury, he kept his commitment to the Bulldogs when Stansbury was fired and replaced by Rick Ray.

College career

As a true freshman in 2012–13 Mississippi State Bulldogs [basketball team|2012–13], Sword appeared all 32 games for the Bulldogs, starting 30 of them. He was named SEC Freshman of the Week twice, and led the Bulldogs with 10.5 points per game. The Bulldogs finished a dismal 4–14 in the SEC, however.
Sword improved his scoring clip in 2013–14 to 13.7 PPG as a sophomore. Sword scored his career high, 33 points, in a 91–82 loss to LSU.
Sword was sidelined with a back injury in the first half of his junior year in 2014–15. However, he returned to full form during the conference portion of the season, again leading the Bulldogs in scoring, leading the Bulldogs to a 6–12 conference record, and a generally much more competitive team. Sword was named Second Team All-SEC for his efforts.
Sword places ninth on the Bulldogs' career leaderboard with 144 steals.

Professional career

Wilki Morskie Szczecin (2016–2017)

After going undrafted in the 2016 NBA draft, Sword signed on June 25, 2016, with Wilki Morskie Szczecin of the Polish Basketball League, averaging 4.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 11.7 minutes in 19 games.

Erie BayHawks (2017–2019)

On October 25, 2017, Sword signed with the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League after a tryout.
On September 27, 2018, Sword re-signed with the Erie BayHawks. He joined the Grand Rapids Drive in 2019.

Omaha's Finest (2021)

In 2021, Sword signed with Omaha's Finest of The Basketball League.

Grand Rapids Gold (2021)

In October 2021, he joined the Grand Rapids Gold.

Capital City Go-Go / Washington Wizards (2021–2023)

On November 3, 2021, Sword was acquired by the Capital City Go-Go and on December 28, he signed a 10-day contract with the Washington Wizards. Sword played 3 games in the NBA, averaging 2.0 points in 6.3 minutes per game with the Wizards. On January 6, 2022, Sword was reacquired and activated by the Go-Go.

Spartans Distrito Capital (2023)

On April 3, 2023, Sword signed with Spartans Distrito Capital of the Venezuelan League.

Indiana Mad Ants (2023–2024)

On September 26, 2023, Sword signed with the Indiana Pacers, but was waived two days later. On October 28, 2023, he joined the Indiana Mad Ants.

Tasmania JackJumpers (2024)

On May 28, 2024, Sword signed with the Tasmania JackJumpers of the Australian National Basketball League for the 2024–25 season. He was released by the JackJumpers on December 13, 2024, after averaging 6.3 points in 15 games.

Kaohsiung Aquas (2025)

On January 1, 2025, Sword signed with the Kaohsiung Aquas of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League. On July 29, Kaohsiung Aquas announced that Sword left the team.

Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers (2025)

On October 23, 2025, Sword signed with the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League. On December 26, the Hsinchu Toplus Lioneers terminated the contract relationship with Sword.