Oklahoma star Aaliyah Chavez claims her seventh SEC Freshman of the Week honor, etching her name in history with unforgettable performances
Oklahoma freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez continues to make history in her standout debut season with the Sooners. For the seventh time this year, Chavez has been honored as the SEC Women's Basketball Freshman of the Week, tying for the second-most such awards in SEC history for a freshman.
This latest recognition comes after she powered No. 7 Oklahoma to a pair of impressive victories over ranked opponents, solidifying her status as one of the most dominant first-year players in the conference.
Chavez's seven SEC Freshman of the Week selections place her in elite company. In program history, only the legendary Courtney Paris surpasses her, having earned the award nine times during her freshman campaign.
Across the entire SEC record book, Chavez's total matches Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes from the previous season and sits just behind Kentucky's Rhyne Howard, who claimed eight in 2018-19. This level of consistent weekly dominance underscores how quickly Chavez has adapted to the high-intensity Southeastern Conference.
Her latest honors stem from a stellar week where the Sooners knocked off No. 24 Georgia on the road and followed up with a high-scoring triumph over No. 21 Tennessee. Chavez averaged 24.0 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game, while shooting 47% from the field. Remarkably, she was the only player in the entire SEC—across all classes—to post those exact averages during the week.
The week kicked off with a gritty road victory at Georgia, where Chavez poured in 27 points on 53% shooting. She added five assists, four rebounds, and two steals in the four-point win. Her perfect 8-for-8 performance from the free-throw line proved pivotal in Athens.
She kept the momentum rolling at home against Tennessee, delivering 21 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals in a thrilling 100-93 victory. Chavez was flawless at the charity stripe once again, going 10-for-10. That streak extended her consecutive free-throw makes to 47, tying an SEC record and highlighting her composure under pressure in crucial moments.
Aaliyah Chavez arrived in Norman as the consensus No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class and the national high school player of the year. Her high school dominance included record-breaking scoring feats, multiple state championships, and elite AAU performances.
Transitioning to the college level, she has exceeded expectations. As a true freshman meeting NCAA minimum thresholds, Chavez leads all first-year players in scoring. Her six games of 25+ points this season outnumber the combined total from every other SEC freshman.
Nationally, she stands out as one of only four players—and the sole freshman—averaging at least 18.5 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds while committing fewer than 3.0 turnovers per game. Maintaining these marks would place her alongside Paige Bueckers as the only freshmen since 2009 to achieve that rare statistical combination.
Season stats further illustrate her impact: averaging around 18.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, with exceptional efficiency at the free-throw line (over 93%) and low turnovers. She has scored in double figures in nearly every game, showcasing consistency and versatility as a guard.
With Chavez leading the charge, Oklahoma aims to extend its winning streak to five games when Arkansas visits Norman on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT, broadcast on SEC Network+. The matchup doubles as Senior Night, with the Sooners honoring Raegan Beers, Beatrice Culliton, and Payton Verhulst postgame.
Chavez's emergence has elevated Oklahoma into a legitimate contender in the loaded SEC. Her poise, scoring ability, and playmaking have fans and analysts buzzing about her potential as a National Freshman of the Year candidate.
As the season progresses toward March, expect more milestones from this phenomenal talent who is already rewriting the record books.