All eyes were on the nation’s top recruit, Aaliyah Chaves, during the Oklahoma Sooners versus the Belmont Bruins game. Chavez put up a dominant performance in the game. But what truly caught the attention of a majority of the fans was the way she honored former Sooners’ star Caitlin Clark.

Standing on the same collegiate stage Clark had made a name for herself, the star freshman honored her inspiration, as she was seen wearing Nike Kobe 5 Protro x Caitlin Clark ‘Indiana Fever,’ ahead of her debut game. “Top three, I’d have to put Caitlin Clark,” Chavez once said when naming her favorite players to watch. And now,

Aaliyah Chavez is widely regarded as the next CC of the college basketball world, with many media outlets and analysts drawing parallels to their scoring ability, on-court confidence, and personality. In awe of her performance, even NBA superstar and a fellow Sooner, Trae Young, couldn’t control himself from making this comparison a few months ago.

“Aaliyah is the next Paige Bueckers, the next Juju Watkins, the next Caitlin Clark of college basketball,” he said. “It’s going to be exciting, she’s in Norman, Oklahoma now.”

The numbers definitely back up the hype. Chavez averaged 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.7 steals per game during her senior year, leading the Monterey Lady Plainsmen to their first state championship in 44 years. Now, as she brings the same energy to Oklahoma, the Sooners have secured their first win of the 2025–26 NCAA season.

Sooners win their season opener with Aaliyah Chavez

The Sooners just ended their first match of the season with the final score of 84 – 67 against the Bruins. Their star freshman guard played 37 minutes of the game and dropped 16 points, secured 6 rebounds, and made 5 assists.

But it wasn’t a solo show, as another player who stood out the most in this game was their senior center, Raegan Beers, who scored 29 points in just 27 minutes, while also grabbing 10 rebounds.

With their first win in the bag, the team will face their upcoming matches with more confidence now, and it is the game that the fans are most excited to see. It is where the No. 6-ranked Sooners will be punching above their weight and taking on the No. 3-ranked UCLA Bruins on 10th November.

As the Aaliyah Chavez era officially begins in Norman, Oklahoma might have just found their missing piece. Now, as the season moves forward, is Chavez’s addition to the roster going to make Oklahoma a team to look out for?