User:Alvaldi/Aaliyah Gayles

Aaliyah Gayles is an American college basketball player for the University of Southern California Trojans. A 5-foot-9 point guard and a five-star recruit from high school, she was named a McDonald's All-American in 2022.

High school career
Gayles attended Spring Valley High school where she averaged 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.7 steals as a sophomore in 2019–2020 and led the school to a 26–7 record and to the Class 4A state semifinals. In her senior season, she averaged 13.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.3 assists and was named a McDonald's All-American and selected to the Jordan Brand Classic.

College career
Gayles originally commited to the University of Southern California (USC) in 2020 but decommitted following the retirement of former coach Mark Trakh. In August 2021, she recommitting to the school under coach Lindsay Gottlieb. On April 16, 2022, Gayles was on of four people shot at a house party in North Las Vegas. She was shot 10 times, including eight times in the legs and ankles, and underwent three surgeries to repair injuries to her arms and legs. Less than two weeks later she signed a national letter of intent to attend USC.