Skip to main content
oklahoma logo

OU lands No. 1 recruit in the country Aaliyah Chavez

headshotby:George Stoia•about 16 hours•

GeorgeStoia

Aaliyah Chavez
Monterey's Aaliyah Chavez dribbles the ball against Frenship during the big school girls bracket championship of the Caprock Classic, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, at Tiger Pit in Wolfforth. (Annie Rice/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK)

OU has landed the commitment of the No. 1 player in the country, Aaliyah Chavez.

Chavez announced her commitment to the Sooners on ESPN on Tuesday, choosing Oklahoma over Texas, South Carolina, Texas Tech and others. A five-star recruit from Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas, Chavez is considered one of the best women’s basketball recruits in the last decade. And now, she’s a Sooner.

“They have great coaches, coaches that I’ve been talking to since I was in eighth grade,” Chavez said on ESPN. “And just a great playing style. They match how I want to play. I want to play fast, and that’s why I chose it.”

As a senior at Monetery, she averaged 35.3 points per game and scored 4,796 points in her four years. She also helped Monetery win the school’s first-ever state championship. She was named the National Gatorade Player of the Year.

Chavez was pursued by every major program in the country. And it was long thought that Texas Tech and Texas were the two teams to bear in her recruitment. But OU coach Jennie Baranczyk built a strong relationship with Chavez. And for Chavez, playing Baranczyk’s fast-paced, high-volume-shooting offense was appealing.

“OU is definitely a great experience,” Chavez told SoonerScoop. “They play great basketball, play fast — that’s how I play. And I just have a great relationship with all of the coaches. She’s a great coach. I have a great relationship with her and just the way they play matches the way I play.”

Chavez visited the Sooners on Saturday during the NCAA Tournament, wanting one last look at the OU program and fanbase before making her decision. And Oklahoma put the full-court press on Chavez, as president Joe Harroz, athletics director Joe Castiglione, Raegan Beers’ dad, several OU football players and hundreds of fans all stopped to talk with her and grab a picture.

“It was a great experience,” Chavez said. “OU fans definitely show out for their team. Just being able to come out here for a live game just means a lot.”

Chavez also garnered a lot of attention on the NIL front, fielding several offers from schools north of seven figures, including Oklahoma. There’s a strong belief in the women’s basketball community that Chavez will be worth it, as many believe she could be the sport’s next superstar.

For OU, landing Chavez is a monumental moment for the program. She’s the highest-rated recruit in program history. And with Raegan Beers, Payton Verhulst and Sahara Williams all set to return next season, Chavez could be the key to Oklahoma moving into the next tier of contenders.

This season, Baranczyk has the Sooners in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013. And now with Chavez in the boat for the future, OU women’s basketball has a lot of momentum with Baranczyk about to enter her fifth season in Norman.

You may also like