Despite SEC snubs, Aaliyah Chavez shines nationally, claiming ESPN's Freshman of the Year for her dominant, record-breaking debut season for the Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma Sooners guard Aaliyah Chavez has been officially named the nation's Freshman of the Year by ESPN, a well-deserved recognition announced on Wednesday that highlights her extraordinary debut season in college basketball.
Despite being surprisingly overlooked for the SEC Freshman of the Year award—which went to Vanderbilt's Aubrey Galvan in a decision that sparked widespread debate and accusations of a snub among fans, media, and even within the Oklahoma program—Chavez has proven her dominance on a national stage.
Many viewed the SEC honor as a glaring oversight, given that Chavez was the only freshman in the conference to earn All-SEC Second Team honors, led all SEC freshmen in scoring by a wide margin (more than five points per game ahead of others), and tied an SEC record with eight Freshman of the Week awards.
In contrast, Galvan did not make any All-SEC team (First or Second). Yet Chavez rose above the conference slight, letting her on-court performance speak volumes and securing the prestigious ESPN national accolade that affirms her as the top rookie in the country.
An All-SEC Second Team selection and a member of the SEC All-Freshman squad, Chavez has led the No. 10-ranked Sooners with an impressive 18.4 points per game—the highest scoring average among qualified Power Five freshmen this season. She complements that scoring with 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per contest, all while maintaining excellent efficiency and low turnovers.
Her statistical profile places her in rare company: Chavez joins UConn legend Paige Bueckers as the only freshmen since 2009 to average at least 18.0 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game while committing 3.0 or fewer turnovers. This elite production underscores why she entered college as the consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2025 and a national prep player of the year.
Throughout the 2025-26 campaign, she has appeared on watch lists for National Player of the Year, National Freshman of the Year, and National Point Guard of the Year.
Chavez has delivered in big moments, recording 12 games with 20 or more points (third-most among true freshmen nationally) and leading all first-year players with six 20-point performances against ranked opponents. Against AP or WBCA-ranked teams, she averaged 19.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.5 rebounds, playing a key role in Oklahoma's six victories over ranked foes.
One standout performance came in the Sooners' 12-point win over then-No. 2 South Carolina on Jan. 22, where Chavez set a school record with 15 points in overtime en route to 26 points, eight assists, and four rebounds—a clutch showing that exemplified her poise and talent.
Beyond scoring, Chavez is chasing several Oklahoma freshman records and remains on pace to shatter the NCAA freshman record for free-throw percentage. Entering the NCAA Tournament, she shoots an astonishing 93.9% from the line and holds an active streak of 62 consecutive made free throws—an SEC and Oklahoma record.
She is one of just five Sooner freshmen ever to reach 500 points in their debut season and is positioned to finish among the program's all-time top three freshmen in points, assists, 3-pointers made, and steals.
As the Sooners prepare for March Madness, they await their NCAA Tournament seeding, to be revealed during the Selection Show on Sunday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN. ESPN's Bracketology projects Oklahoma as a top-16 seed, likely hosting first- and second-round games at Lloyd Noble Center.
Chavez's journey this season has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite the disappointing SEC Freshman of the Year outcome, she has elevated her game and her team, proving resilience and earning national validation through sheer excellence.
Her blend of scoring firepower, playmaking vision, defensive tenacity, and clutch execution has made her a cornerstone for Oklahoma's success—and a star whose best is yet to come.