Aaliyah Chavez Throws Shade at ESPN After USC Commit Takes Over the No. 1 Spot

The next generation is officially coming in. We’ve all had our eyes on three names since what feels like forever — Aaliyah Chavez, Sienna Betts, and Jasmine ‘Jazzy’ Davidson. This 2025 class is absolutely stacked. The fight for that No. 1 spot has been the most intense race we’ve seen in at least five years. And while Chavez sat pretty on top for most of her senior year, ESPN pulled a slight switch-up with their final rankings. No shocker there, but definitely a surprise.

Jazzy Davidson snuck back into the top spot. Rightfully so. Davidson came in HS as No. 1 ranked freshman but spent most of her senior campaign at No. 3. But she flipped the narrative right at the finish line. Safe to say, she has earned it. In her whole HS career, she never averaged less than 22 points. Her senior year saw a jaw-dropping 29.3 points per game. She bagged Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year again (that’s four straight, if you’re counting), and wrapped up her high school career as Oregon’s Class 6A all-time leading scorer with 2,726 points. 

Now sure, her final chapter wasn’t dipped in gold. Clackamas lost a heartbreaker in the 6A state championship to Tualatin. But Jazzy wasn’t done. She hit the all-star tour hard. First stop, McDonald’s All-American Game in Brooklyn, where she helped the West squad cruise to a blowout win. Then came the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, where she dropped a cool game-high 17 points. She was on fire.

And well, so was Chavez.

@ShaneLaflin can keep them rankings I’m still coming for everything they said I couldn’t have no politics needed . https://t.co/2gCCd0nbqC

— AALIYAH CHAVEZ (@AALIYAH2CHAVEZ) April 18, 2025

Her senior stats were ridiculous: 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. She led Monterey to the 5A Division II state title — their first since 1981. And she racked up Texas Gatorade Player of the Year for the second straight year. Gatorade National Player of the Year too. By the time she wrapped her high school career, she had 4,796 points, 1,279 rebounds, and 771 assists. 

With numbers like those, you’d think the top spot was locked… but ESPN had other plans. And well, Chavez wasn’t about to just take that L quietly. After she got bumped to No. 3, she went straight to Twitter and called it out. 

“@ShaneLaflin can keep them rankings I’m still coming for everything they said I couldn’t have no politics needed,” she posted. For those wondering, Laflin is a women’s basketball scout and was behind the final ESPN rankings article. Her tweet came right after SportsCenter NEXT dropped a video from her Jordan Brand Classic showing. Chavez dropped 24 points, earning MVP status. Meanwhile, Jazzy added 19 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists of her own.

And that might just leave you wondering..so why not Chavez then? But, per ESPN, Jazzy is the “most complete player in the class,” and that’s valid. She has been consistent throughout and her versatility is off the charts. Court vision is great. Off-ball movement is chef’s kiss. She’s a floor general with scoring chops and leadership written all over her. Even she said it herself, “I play really well off my teammates without the ball in my hands.” 

But you know what? This class is just that deep. Somebody had to edge someone else. While some say Davidson rightfully took the crown, others are still riding for Chavez. Either way, both are walking away as certified bucket-getters. And they’re both stepping into roles that scream “impact time.” At USC, Davidson’s got a clear runway with JuJu Watkins out. Expect her to make noise fast.

Meanwhile, at Oklahoma, Chavez has an opening too with the Sooners losing Payton Verhulst, Skylar Vann, Lexy Keys, and Nevaeh Tot. She’ll join Sahara Williams and Zya Vann, and as she said it herself she is more than ready to cook. 

Oh, and since we were just talking about the Jordan Brand Classic. Well, Chavez wasn’t the only one stealing the spotlight there.

With Aaliyah Chavez on fire, Kiyan Anthony brough the heat too

The future Syracuse baller Kiyan Anthony went off, dropping 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep. His team, Team Air, took down Team Flight 141-124 in a high-octane game at CareFirst Arena. And the cherry on top was Kiyan got handed a Jumpman letterman’s jacket MVP award from his dad (Carmelo Anthony) while his mom, Lala, cheered courtside. 

But you know the floor was packed with talent. Jordan Classic brought toget the bets of high school talents. AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 ranked player in the 2025 class and a BYU commit, dropped 25 points and grabbed 9 boards for Team Flight.  Caleb Wilson, heading to UNC, poured in 28 for Team Air. And the Boozer twins — Cameron and Cayden — showed up too, repping their Duke-bound future. Cameron scored 10 while Cayden added 4.

July 18, 2024; North Augusta, S.C., USA; Team Melo’s Kiyan Anthony (7), son of NBA star Carmelo Anthony, looks to pass during the Team Melo and Georgia Stars game at the Nike Peach Jam at Riverview Park Activities Center. The Georgia Stars won 64-63. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network

Let’s not forget the girls holding it down too. UCLA signee Sienna Betts dropped 22 points on 11-of-14 shooting, plus 6 boards. UConn commit Kelis Fisher had 23. Hailee Swain, who’s headed to Stanford, added 18, and Georgia-bound Zhen Craft chipped in 10. 

Now all of these young ones are headed onto the next chapter..college ball, bigger stages, brighter lights. If the Jordan Brand Classic was a glimpse, then we have to say that the future of basketball is brighter than ever. 

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