In a monumental recruiting decision that sent shockwaves through the landscape of women’s college basketball, Aaliyah Chavez, the nation’s top-ranked player in the class of 2025, announced her commitment to the University of Oklahoma. The Lubbock, Texas, native stunned many by choosing the Sooners over her home-state powerhouse, the University of Texas, in a move that instantly reshapes expectations for the Sooners and confirms head coach Jennie Baranczyk’s rise as one of the premier recruiters in the nation.
Chavez, a 5-foot-10 guard widely regarded as a generational talent, made the announcement during a live broadcast on social media, flanked by her parents and high school coach. Wearing a crimson blazer with an unmistakable interlocking “OU” pin on the lapel, she smiled broadly as she declared her intentions to join the Sooners program in Norman next year.
“I want to thank God, my family, my coaches, and everyone who has supported me through this journey,” Chavez said. “This has been a tough decision, but after prayer, deep conversations, and a lot of thought, I’ve decided that the best place for me to grow as a player, a student, and a person is the University of Oklahoma.”
The reaction from Oklahoma fans was immediate and electric. Within minutes of her commitment, “Boomer Sooner” was trending across social media platforms, and the university’s women’s basketball account posted a celebratory video welcoming Chavez to the family. Coach Baranczyk issued a short but powerful message on X (formerly Twitter): “The future is now. Let’s work.”
Chavez’s decision to pick Oklahoma over Texas, LSU, Baylor, and Stanford marks a significant coup for the Sooners, who have made steady progress under Baranczyk’s leadership. Since taking the helm, Baranczyk has reinvigorated the program with an up-tempo offense, a culture of empowerment, and a renewed focus on player development. Landing Chavez is the clearest sign yet that the Sooners are poised to vault back into the national spotlight.
For Chavez, the decision was more than just basketball. She had long been thought to be leaning toward Texas, which sits just six hours from her hometown and offered the prestige of playing for a national contender with deep NIL resources and a passionate fan base. Yet as the recruiting process unfolded, Oklahoma’s consistent messaging and tight-knit atmosphere made a lasting impression.
“From day one, they made me feel like family,” Chavez explained. “It wasn’t just about what I could do for them—it was about what they could do to help me become the best version of myself, on and off the court. Coach Baranczyk is someone I trust, someone who believes in me, and someone I want to go to battle for.”
It’s not hard to see why Chavez is the most coveted player in the country. She’s been dominating the prep circuit since her freshman year at Monterey High School, where she led her team deep into the playoffs with eye-popping scoring displays, jaw-dropping handles, and a poise far beyond her years. She’s a smooth three-level scorer with elite vision, lockdown defense, and the type of competitive fire that transforms good teams into great ones.
This past season, Chavez averaged 32.1 points, 7.8 assists, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.2 steals per game, leading Monterey to a 31-4 record and earning All-American honors from virtually every major outlet. She has also thrived on the national stage with Team USA and in elite grassroots events like Nike’s EYBL circuit, where she’s consistently been the best player on the floor.
Beyond the numbers, Chavez brings something intangible that programs dream of—a presence. Her leadership is magnetic. She talks, hypes her teammates, and leads with both words and actions. She plays with the swagger of someone who knows she’s the best but remains grounded, humble, and hungry to improve.
“She’s got that ‘it’ factor,” said Monterey head coach Jill Jones. “She’s the hardest worker I’ve ever been around, and she’s a sponge. No ego. All she wants to do is win and make everyone around her better. Oklahoma is getting a once-in-a-decade type of player.”
For Oklahoma, the commitment comes at the perfect time. The Sooners have steadily rebuilt their roster with a strong blend of experience and youth, and Chavez will arrive just as several key veterans prepare to graduate. Her arrival should immediately lift Oklahoma back into contention not just in the Big 12, but on the national stage, where the Sooners haven’t made a serious Final Four push since the early 2010s.
Even with Oklahoma’s rich basketball history, Chavez’s arrival represents something new—a signal that elite, top-tier talent is buying into the Sooners’ vision. For years, programs like South Carolina, UConn, Stanford, and Texas have dominated the top of the recruiting rankings. Now, Oklahoma can claim the biggest recruiting win of them all.
Recruiting insiders were quick to highlight the magnitude of the moment. “This is the type of commitment that changes the entire trajectory of a program,” said ESPN’s Raegan Pebley. “Aaliyah Chavez is not just the best player in the class—she’s the face of women’s basketball for the next decade. And she’s doing it in Norman.”
Chavez’s commitment also has ripple effects in recruiting circles. Players want to play with greatness, and Chavez is the type of cornerstone around whom an entire class can be built. Already, buzz is growing that several top-25 players in the 2025 class—some of whom played with or against Chavez in AAU—are eyeing Oklahoma more closely.
