Fight On Moment as Aaliyah Gayles Makes Emotional Visit to USC
A few months after five-star basketball prospect Aaliyah Gayles was announced by USC as the lone member of the 2022 signing class, she made an emotional visit to campus.
Gayles’ basketball future was tragically derailed in April when she was shot ten times while attending a house party in Las Vegas. Gayles underwent three surgeries and is continuing in her recovery. Eight of the ten gunshot wounds were to her legs and ankles. Her future teammates were understandably delighted to see her walk into the Galen Center practice courts.
This comes a little more than a month after Gayles was wheeled across the stage at her high school graduation.
Gayles was a massive commitment for USC women’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The 5-star guard was the No. 8 overall recruit in the 2022 class. She was committed to USC but decommitted when the Trojans went through a coaching change. When Gottlieb came on board, she was able to reel Gayles back in. And Gayles was set as a likely centerpiece for the program moving forward.
The hope is this terrible event proves only a delay. And Gayles continues to inspire as she fights her way back.
Gottlieb was able to comment on Gayles following the announcement of her signing with the Trojans.
“Aaliyah is one of the most talented, athletically gifted basketball players I’ve known,” she said in a statement. “She is electric on the court, with her ability to score, defend and create for others with her ball handling and vision.
“It is these characteristics that, in her recent time of extreme trial, have allowed her to survive and will ensure that she continues to thrive. Aaliyah is a part of the USC family and we could not be more proud to be on this journey with her, every step of the way.”
