Latest news with #AaliyahChavez
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OU women's basketball signs Aaliyah Chavez, nation's No. 1 overall recruit
Aaliyah Chavez, the top-ranked player in the 2025 class, officially signed with OU women's basketball on Thursday, Sooners coach Jennie Baranczyk announced. Chavez, a 5-foot-11 point guard from Monterey High in Lubbock, Texas, averaged 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.7 steals per game in leading her team to a state title. Advertisement She finished her high school career with 4,796 career points, 1,279 career rebounds, 771 career assists and 476 career steals. Chavez was at OU's first-round NCAA Tournament game against Florida Gulf Coast and announced her commitment to the Sooners a few days later. Chavez joins Keziah Lofton and Brooklyn Stewart as part of the Sooners' signing class. More: Why two March Mondays three years apart show OU basketball's growth under Jennie Baranczyk Ryan Aber covers OU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ryan? He can be reached at raber@ or on Twitter at @RyAber. Sign up for the OU Sooners newsletter to access more OU coverage. Support Ryan's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU women's basketball signs Aaliyah Chavez, nation's No. 1 recruit
NBC Sports
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Aaliyah Chavez did everything in high school except rep the USA. That changes at Nike Hoops Summit.
PORTLAND — Aaliyah Chavez had the high school career most players only dream about: • Named 2025 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year. • Averaged 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.7 steals per game, leading her Monterey High School team to a 37-5 record and the Texas 5A Division 2 state title. • Got shouted out by Trae Young when she committed to Oklahoma. • Inspiring a generation of young players and fans who travel hours to see her play. • Become a social media sensation, including more than 85,000 Instagram followers. Aaliyah Chavez being hard to guard! @AALIYAH2CHAVEZ However, she had never played for USA Basketball or worn that USA across the front of her jersey. That changes Saturday night when she laces them up for the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland (7:30 p.m. on the USA Network and streaming on Peacock), playing with and against the best high school seniors from around the globe. She is not taking this for granted. 'It means a lot. I've grown up in the USA, so just coming out and supporting my country just means a lot,' Chavez told NBC Sports. 'And just to be able to wear this jersey, it's just such a blessing, just because not a lot of people get to put on this jersey.' Part of that pride is because she understands what her wearing that jersey represents. Chavez is of Mexican descent, is proud of that and how she has inspired a generation of younger hoopers. 'I feel just all the little kids that look up to me,' Chavez said. 'I think it's just me coming out, just showing them that it's possible if you work hard, if you put your mind to it, then you'll, you'll get the accolades you want. She's getting something out of the week of practices and scrimmages at the Nike Hoops Summit, too — going against the best in practice is forcing her to raise her game. 🪣 @AALIYAH2CHAVEZ ALL DAY FROM 3️⃣ 'Mentally, you just got to focus and make sure that you're on your best ability every practice, because these are great girls that you're working with and going against,' Chavez said. 'And then, physically, they're hard, they're strong, so you just got to make sure you're on your 'A' game, every game.' Strong work ethic Being on her 'A' game all the time is part of what Chavez is known for — she developed a smooth stroke and the handles that help her create the space to get that shot off through countless hours in the gym, specifically working with her father, Sonny (who has been her trainer since she started playing). Chavez and her father say the drive was there before her skills caught up to it. 'I think I kind of had it from day one…" Chavez said of her work ethic, before referencing her favorite player, Kobe Bryant. 'I think I feel like I have the Kobe mentality. He was always the first one in the gym, the last one in the gym. And I grew up around watching Kobe videos, so just coming out and making sure that that's the person I am.' In the gym, it's business. 'A lot of people, you see them get in the gym, they're checking their phones, they're doing stuff outside of basketball,' Chavez said. 'When I'm in the gym, it's literally straight basketball. It doesn't matter if I'm dribbling, shooting anything, it's straight basketball. And then outside of basketball, if I'm not in the gym, then I'll hang out with friends. I'll be with my family most of the time.' Chavez admits she's a little quiet and reserved in new situations and around people she doesn't know as well, as is the case at the start of the Nike Hoops Summit (where many of her teammates knew each other from other USA and national showcases). Once comfortable, like around her family, it's different — she is anything but quiet. 'No, they say I'm annoying,' Chavez said with a laugh. Olympic dreams Next up for Chavez is playing at Oklahoma, a school she chose partly because the Sooners play an up-tempo style that fits her game. Her choice made Oklahoma alum and NBA All-Star Trae Young happy. 'Aaliyah is the next Paige Bueckers, the next Juju Watkins, the next Caitlin Clark of college basketball…" Young said. 'It's exciting that she's going to be in Norman, Oklahoma now. We get to go and support her, I'm going to be supporting her any time I can.' The Nike Hoops Summit may be the first time Chavez dons a USA jersey, but she does not want it to be her last. 'I want to be in the Olympics, obviously, when I'm older,' Chavez said. 'So I think this is gonna help me a lot, just because I see how the USA [staff] are coaching, and that's gonna help me in the future.' For now, she's just going to enjoy the Nike Hoops Summit experience — especially going against CyFair Elite AAU teammates Bella Hines and Ayla McDowell playing for the World Team in Portland. Chavez also is enjoying getting to tweak her role and focus on the little things that lead to winning, not just getting buckets. 'These are great players, so you don't have to focus so much on winning, and you just got to come out and support your teammates,' Chavez said. 'They're going to make the wide open shots, they're going to make sure that we're making the right plays. And I feel like that's the great thing about it. You're out here having fun with elite players, so you don't have to worry about taking over a game or scoring 100 points. You just have to worry about us winning the game.' Chavez expects to win, and that's the one thing that will not change no matter what name is across the front of her jersey.
NBC Sports
09-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
2025 NIKE HOOP SUMMIT FROM PORTLAND, ORE., PRESENTED LIVE ON USA NETWORK AND PEACOCK THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 12, AT 7 P.M. ET
Men's and Women's Games Pitting USA Basketball vs. The World Top Men's Recruits A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Kiyan Anthony Plus Top Three Women's Recruits in Aaliyah Chavez, Sienna Betts, and Jasmine Davidson Expected to Play Noah Eagle (Play-by-Play) to Call Both Games, Alongside LaChina Robinson for Women's and Robbie Hummel for Men's STAMFORD, Conn. – April 9, 2025 – The top men's and women's high school basketball recruits in the United States, including A.J. Dybantsa and Aaliyah Chavez, headline NBC Sports' live coverage of the Nike Hoop Summit on USA Network and Peacock this Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m. ET from Moda Center in Portland, Ore. One of the most prestigious events in high school basketball since its inception in 1995, this event features the best high school seniors in the U.S. against the best U19 international players in the world. The pre-game show will start at 7 p.m. ET, with the women's game set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET. A bridge show between the two games will lead into the men's game at 10 p.m. ET. All programming will be live on both USA Network and Peacock. This year's competition is expected to include a bevy of talent, with the U.S. men's roster featuring No. 2 overall recruit A.J. Dybantsa (BYU commit), No. 3 Cameron and twin brother No. 24 Cayden Boozer (both Duke) -- sons of two-time NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer -- and No. 4 Nate Ament. The U.S. women's team features the top three recruits in Aaliyah Chavez (Oklahoma), Sienna Betts (UCLA), and Jasmine Davidson (USC). The international teams are expected to include Syracuse commit Kiyan Anthony, son of 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, and No. 4 women's overall recruit Agot Makeer (South Carolina). The Nike Hoop Summit has been a display of the next wave of top-tier NBA talent for decades, with six NBA MVPs, 42 NBA All-Stars, and over 100 NBA lottery picks having played in the game. Notable U.S. alumni include 2014 NBA MVP and 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant (2006), 2004 NBA MVP and 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett (1995), 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis (2011), and likely No. 1 overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg (2024). Prominent international alumni include 2007 NBA MVP and 14-time NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitzki (1998), three-time NBA MVP and 2023 NBA champion Nikola Jokic (2014), and four-time NBA champion Tony Parker (2000). The women's game, which began in 2023, has seen NCAA All-Americans such as Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo (2023) and reigning SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker (2024) compete. NBC Sports' Noah Eagle will call both games alongside LaChina Robinson, a four-year member of the Wake Forest basketball team, for the women's game, and Robbie Hummel, a three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection at Purdue, for the men's game. Jordan Cornette will serve as sideline reporter. NBC Sports' Ahmed Fareed, Aja Ellison, and Matt McCall will host the pre-game, halftime, and bridge shows. How to Watch – Saturday, April 12 (all times ET): TV: USA Network Streaming: Peacock, NBC Sports app --NBC SPORTS--
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aaliyah Chavez, No. 1-ranked high school player, commits to Oklahoma women's basketball
Aaliyah Chavez, the No. 1-ranked women's college basketball recruit in the nation, has announced her college decision. Chavez, the National Gatorade Player of the Year in 2025, announced her commitment to Oklahoma live via ESPN's "SportsCenter" on Tuesday afternoon. She chose the Sooners over Texas, Texas Tech, LSU, South Carolina and UCLA. Advertisement Chavez, a 5-foot-9 point guard, is rated the No. 1 player nationally, according to ESPN's rankings. Her Gatorade Player of the Year honor also puts her in elite company, which includes Juju Watkins, Paige Bueckers, Breanna Stewart and Maya Moore, among many others. UConn's Azzi Fudd, South Carolina's Joyce Edwards and UCLA's Kiki Rice, who are all still playing in the women's NCAA Tournament, also won the award. SWEET 16 RANKINGS: Reseeding women's NCAA Tournament field from No. 1 to No. 16 Chavez, who attends Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas, averaged 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game this season while leading her team to a Class 5A state championship. She was also selected as a McDonald's All-American and scored 50 or more points nine times in her high school career. Advertisement The Sooners are a team on the rise, especially after Chavez's commitment. Oklahoma made the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013 this season and are set to return star forward Raegan Beers, the No. 1-ranked transfer last offseason. On3's Pete Nakos reported Tuesday that Chavez is expected to also sign an NIL deal with Jordan Brand, which sponsors Oklahoma's football and men's and women's basketball teams. Chavez made some noise with her March commitment, but this time next year she looks to be making some noise in March Madness. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaliyah Chavez commitment: Top recruit joins Oklahoma basketball
Miami Herald
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Top prospect Aaliyah Chavez commits to Oklahoma
Aaliyah Chavez, considered the top women's high school recruit, committed to Oklahoma. The five-star point guard also considered LSU, South Carolina, Texas, Texas Tech and UCLA. The 5-foot-9 National Gatorade Player of the Year scored 4,796 career points with 1,279 rebounds and 771 assists in 150 games at Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas. Chavez averaged 35.3 points per game this past season as Monterey won a Texas 5A Division II state championship. She was named a McDonald's All-American and will participate in the Nike Hoop Summit next month. In addition to Chavez, Oklahoma's incoming class will include four-star guard Keziah Lofton and four-star forward Brooklyn Stewart. The Sooners (27-7) won their first two games in the current NCAA Tournament in dominating fashion and will face UConn on Saturday in a Sweet 16 game at Spokane, Wash. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
