Nation’s No. 1 Prospect Aaliyah Chavez Reportedly Commits to South Carolina as Dawn Staley Cancels Scheduled Official Visits to Tennessee and Oklahoma
In a major recruiting development for women’s college basketball, Aaliyah Chavez, the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class, has reportedly committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
The five-star guard had been a highly sought-after recruit, drawing interest from powerhouse programs across the country, including Tennessee and Oklahoma. However, reports indicate that South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has canceled Chavez’s scheduled official visits to those schools, strongly suggesting that the star prospect has made her decision to join the reigning NCAA champions.
Chavez, a dynamic and versatile scorer from Lubbock, Texas, has been at the center of a fierce recruiting battle among top-tier programs. Known for her elite shooting ability, court vision, and high basketball IQ, she has been widely regarded as one of the best high school players in recent memory. Her decision to commit to South Carolina adds yet another elite talent to an already dominant Gamecocks program that continues to set the standard in women’s college basketball.
South Carolina’s success under Staley has made it the premier destination for top prospects, and landing Chavez further solidifies the Gamecocks’ reputation as a recruiting powerhouse. The program has consistently produced WNBA-level talent, including stars like A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Zia Cooke. With Chavez potentially joining the roster, South Carolina is poised to maintain its dominance for years to come.
For Tennessee and Oklahoma, missing out on Chavez is undoubtedly a tough blow. Both programs had been heavily involved in her recruitment, with Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper and Oklahoma’s Jennie Baranczyk making strong pushes to bring her into their programs. However, with Chavez now seemingly locked in with South Carolina, they will have to shift their focus to other top recruits in the 2025 class.
While an official announcement from Chavez has yet to be made, the cancellation of her remaining visits strongly indicates that her recruitment is effectively over. If confirmed, her commitment to South Carolina would mark yet another massive win for Staley and the Gamecocks, reinforcing their status as the top destination for elite women’s basketball talent.
