In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, Aaliyah Chavez, the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, has committed to the Florida Gators women’s basketball program. The announcement, which came earlier today, March 4, 2025, marks a monumental coup for head coach Kelly Rae Finley and her staff, as they’ve landed one of the most coveted high school talents in recent memory.
Chavez, a 5-foot-11 guard from Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas, has been a name on every major program’s radar since she burst onto the national scene as a freshman. Known for her electrifying scoring ability, silky-smooth ball-handling, and a basketball IQ that belies her age, Chavez has drawn comparisons to WNBA stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark. Her senior season stats are nothing short of jaw-dropping—averaging 36.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, all while shooting an astounding 47% from beyond the arc. Those numbers alone tell the story of a generational talent ready to dominate at the next level.
The decision to join Florida wasn’t without its drama. Chavez had been heavily courted by blue-blood programs like UConn, South Carolina, and LSU, each of which boasts a storied history of developing elite guards into professional superstars. Rumors swirled in recruiting circles that LSU, with its high-octane offense and recent national championship pedigree, was the frontrunner. Yet, in a move that stunned analysts, Chavez opted for Gainesville, citing the Gators’ vision for her development and the tight-knit culture Coach Finley has cultivated.
“Florida felt like home,” Chavez said in her commitment statement. “Coach Kelly and the staff showed me how I fit into their system, not just as a player, but as a leader. I want to build something special, and I believe Gainesville is the place to do it.” Her commitment instantly elevates a Gators program that’s been on the cusp of SEC contention, adding a cornerstone piece to a roster already brimming with young talent.
For Florida, this is more than a recruiting win—it’s a statement. The Gators haven’t reached the Final Four since 1998, but Chavez’s arrival signals a potential shift in the SEC landscape, where powerhouses like South Carolina and Tennessee have long reigned supreme. With Chavez’s ability to score at all three levels and facilitate for teammates, Florida could become a legitimate threat as early as the 2025-26 season.
Fans on X are already buzzing, with #ChavezToGators trending nationwide. One user posted, “Aaliyah Chavez to Florida? SEC just got a whole lot spicier!” Another wrote, “Gators snagging the No. 1 recruit over UConn and LSU is wild—Finley’s cooking something big.” As March Madness looms in the distance, all eyes will be on Chavez and her journey to reshape the Gators into a national powerhouse.
