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Aaliyah Chavez is the 2024-25 Gatorade National Player of the Year for girls basketball

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby:Lawrence Fernandez•03/19/25•

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Aaliyah Chavez - Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year
Aaliyah Chavez (right) with former Gatorade Player of the Year winner, WNBA champion, and WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike. (@Joe Greer, http://www.joe.photography)

Aaliyah Chavez adds another accolade to her trophy case by winning the Gatorade National Player of the Year award. The senior guard was selected from the winners from every state based on their on-court achievement, academic excellence, and exemplary character.

Chavez learned her win via a surprise announcement from former winner and 2016 Women’s National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Nneka Ogwumike. Aside from receiving her trophy at Monterey High School, Chavez enjoyed a styling session, a photoshoot, and media interviews.

As the leader of the Plainsmen, she led the team to a Class 5A Division 2 state championship. In doing so, she finished the season averaging 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. In four years with Monterey, she averaged 32.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.2 steals per game.

Meanwhile, Aaliyah Chavez finished her high school basketball career with 4,777 points. That’s the fourth-highest total among girls basketball players, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations’ record book. Only Adrian McGowen (5,424), Victoria Vivians (5,172), and Tyra Buss (4,897) had more points than Chavez.

Chavez is also a McDonald’s All-American selectee and the Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year. However, her basketball achievements are only one aspect of Chavez winning the Gatorade National Player of the Year award.

While dominating the competition, Chavez maintained a 3.54 grade point average at school. Likewise, she volunteered with the Plainsmen Pal program wherein they befriended and mentored an elementary school student during the season. The guard from Lubbock also coaches younger players at her father’s gym.

While her high school basketball career is over, Aaliyah Chavez will announce her college basketball decision on March 25. The top-ranked player in the Class of 2025 On3 Industry Rankings received offers from elite programs like Oklahoma, UCLA, Texas Tech, South Carolina, LSU, and Texas, among others.