Oklahoma's dynamic duo, Raegan Beers and Aaliyah Chavez, earn prestigious Naismith Trophy recognition, showcasing their elite talent on the national stage
In a thrilling recognition for the University of Oklahoma women's basketball program, senior center Raegan Beers and freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez have been named to the 2026 Naismith Trophy Women's College Player of the Year Late-Season Team. The prestigious 30-player list, announced on February 17, 2026, highlights the top performers in women's college basketball as the regular season winds down and postseason play looms.
This honor underscores the Sooners' strong campaign under head coach Jennie Baranczyk, as the team sits at 19-6 overall and 7-5 in the SEC, holding a No. 10 national ranking.
The Naismith Trophy, named after the inventor of basketball Dr. James Naismith, is one of the most coveted awards in the sport. Presented annually by the Atlanta Tipoff Club, it recognizes the outstanding college player of the year based on performance, leadership, and impact.
The late-season team narrows the field from an initial watch list of 50 players, with finalists announced in March and the winner revealed during the Final Four. Past recipients include icons like Caitlin Clark, A'ja Wilson, and Breanna Stewart, making this a significant milestone for any athlete.
For Beers and Chavez, joining this elite group not only validates their individual excellence but also spotlights Oklahoma's emergence as a powerhouse in the competitive SEC.Raegan Beers, a 6-foot-4 senior from Littleton, Colorado, has been a dominant force in the paint since transferring to Oklahoma from Oregon State ahead of the 2024-25 season. Known for her efficiency and rebounding prowess, Beers is averaging 15.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game through 24 contests in 2025-26.
Shooting an impressive 61.1% from the field, she ranks among the nation's leaders in field goal percentage and double-doubles, with her player efficiency rating consistently topping conference charts. Beers' journey has been marked by accolades: she was a 2025 Consensus All-America Honorable Mention, All-SEC First Team, and even earned a spot on the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year watch list earlier this season.
Her standout performances include a 29-point, 10-rebound effort against Belmont to open the year and consistent double-doubles against ranked opponents like Texas and South Carolina. Beers' international experience, including a gold medal with Team USA at the 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup where she averaged 8.1 points and 5.7 rebounds, adds to her well-rounded resume.
As a senior leader, she's been instrumental in Oklahoma's defensive identity, helping the team hold opponents to just 66.1 points per game while grabbing 48.6 rebounds as a unit.
Complementing Beers' interior dominance is the explosive play of Aaliyah Chavez, a 5-foot-10 freshman guard from Lubbock, Texas, who arrived as the consensus No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2025.
Chavez has lived up to the hype, leading the Sooners with 18.1 points per game alongside 4.2 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.
Her shooting splits—37.6% from the field, 32.5% from three, and a stellar 91.5% from the free-throw line—demonstrate her scoring versatility, with a career-high 33 points coming against NC State in December.
Chavez's high school career was legendary: she amassed 4,796 points (14th all-time in prep history), won back-to-back Gatorade Texas Player of the Year awards, and was named the 2025 Gatorade National Player of the Year and Naismith National High School Player of the Year.
She also led her AAU team to Nike Nationals titles in 2022 and 2024. In her collegiate debut, Chavez has shown poise beyond her years, dishing out a team-high 106 assists while committing just 74 turnovers, making a strong case for Freshman of the Year honors.
Oklahoma's success this season, with an 87.3 points-per-game offense ranking fourth nationally, owes much to the dynamic duo's chemistry.
The Sooners have notched key wins over teams like UCLA, NC State, and LSU, positioning them for a deep NCAA Tournament run. Beers provides the anchor inside, while Chavez's perimeter scoring and playmaking open up the floor. Their inclusion on the Naismith list places them alongside stars like UConn's Azzi Fudd (graduate student guard), South Carolina's Joyce Edwards (sophomore forward), and LSU's Flau'Jae Johnson (senior guard), reflecting the depth of talent in women's college hoops.
This accolade is a testament to Baranczyk's recruiting and development prowess, as Oklahoma continues to build on its Big 12 legacy in the SEC era. With five games left in the regular season, including matchups against top-10 foes like Vanderbilt and Texas, Beers and Chavez have the opportunity to elevate their candidacies further.
As the Sooners chase an SEC title and NCAA glory, these two standouts are proving that Oklahoma women's basketball is not just competitive—it's elite. Fans can expect more fireworks as March Madness approaches, with Beers and Chavez leading the charge.