Aaliyah Chavez visits OU during NCAA Tournament: 'It was a great experience'
In section 107 of the Lloyd Noble Center, there was a line to see a player who has yet to play a single second for the Sooners. That player was the No. 1 recruit in the country, Aaliyah Chavez.
Chavez was in Norman on Saturday to watch OU play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Her and her family bought tickets and drove from Lubbock, Texas, to see the Sooners beat Florida Gulf Coast.
This was Chavez’s last visit before she makes her decision on Tuesday, March 25 on where she play college basketball. And right now, many believe its down to Oklahoma and Texas.
“It was a great experience,” Chavez told SoonerScoop.com. “OU fans definitely show out for their team. Just being able to come out here for a live game just means a lot.”
Chavez’s recruitment has garnered national attention, as many believe she could reset the NIL market in women’s college basketball. For Chavez, it’s been a whirlwind of a recruitment and she’s glad it will come to an end on Tuesday.
“I am looking forward to (it being over),” Chavez said. “I’m kind of ready to be done and just be with one school. It’s great to know I’m about to be down to just one school.”
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“I don’t let it put too much pressure on me because I love playing basketball.”
As for OU stands, Chavez making the visit is certainly a good sign the Sooners have a chance. And they put the full-court press on her on Saturday.
President Joe Harroz, athletics director Joe Castiglione, Raegan Beers’ dad, several OU football players and hundreds of fans all stopped to talk with Chavez and grab a picture.
For Chavez, the Sooners are an attractive destination due to the fanbase and the style of basketball they play. She also has a strong relationship with coach Jennie Baranczyk, who was one of the first coaches to recruit her.
“OU is definitely a great experience,” Chavez said. “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.”
Stay tuned Tuesday as Chavez makes her decision.
