Aaliyah Chavez, No. 1 basketball recruit in 2025, lists Texas among top six schools

Texas women's basketball recently landed the No. 4 recruit from the Class of 2025, but the Longhorns now have a chance to do one better.

Lubbock Monterey guard Aaliyah Chavez — the nation's No. 1 recruit for 2025 — listed Texas as one of her final list of top choices on Tuesday along with Texas Tech, LSU, UCLA, Oklahoma and South Carolina.

The 5-foot-9 point guard hails is the nation's top-rated player by 247Sports' composite rankings. The first thing that stands out about her from highlights is her smooth jump shot that looks comfortable from 3-point range. Using that weapon, she scored 30 points to help her team win the 2024 Nike Nationals championship.

It'll be quite the battle for Chavez's services over the next couple of months. Texas has cemented itself as one of the strongest programs in the nation with its tournament results, recruiting and status as the top dog in the Big 12. However, that status will be tested as it enters an SEC with loads of talent and pedigree.

Dawn Staley and South Carolina are defending national champions known for fostering a winning environment, while the flamboyant Kim Mulkey led LSU to its first NCAA title the year before that. Schaefer has had Texas in the NCAA Tournament since he's been hired, but the Longhorns have been stopped in the Elite Eight three out of the last four years.

Despite Oklahoma and UCLA being on an upward trajectory, neither program has made it past the Sweet 16 in the past 10 years.

Texas will have a geographical advantage over most schools except for Chavez's hometown Red Raiders. Texas Tech, though, has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2013.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Aaliyah Chavez, No. 1 basketball recruit in 2025, lists Texas among top six schools