What happened to Aaliyah Gayles? All we know about USC star who got shot at a house party

Aaliyah Gayles, a point guard for the USC Trojans, was a victim of gun violence at a house party in Las Vegas on April 16, 2022.

Gayles, who was 18 at the time, was among four individuals shot after a celebration turned into a nightmare when an argument escalated into gunfire. According to the police report, an unknown assailant shot her multiple times.

Doctors counted 18 bullet wounds in her arms and legs, which fractured bones and ruptured a blood vessel. But remarkably, Gayles survived. She underwent two emergency surgeries the following day.

Gayles' recovery story and return to basketball is nothing short of miraculous. Her comeback is not just about playing again, it is about beating the odds and inspiring others with her determination.

CBS Sports shared a seven-minute video clip on X/Twitter, dedicated to her hard work and recovery.

"Aaliyah Gayles’ talent and work ethic led to a scholarship with USC. But, everything changed when she was shot at a house party, surviving more than a dozen gunshot wounds. She worked tirelessly through her rehab with one main goal: play basketball again and take the court the Trojans. On November 10, 2023, her dream came true," the caption said.

Gayles played high school basketball at Las Vegas' Spring Valley and was a top-eight recruit in the 2022 class prospects, according to ESPN HoopGurlz. She first committed to join USC in April 2022. Then she changed her mind when coach Mark Trakh retired. Later, in August, she chose USC again, now with coach Lindsay Gottlieb.

Aaliyah Gayles' journey from rehab to her return to the basketball court

After enduring the harrowing night of gunfire and being shot several times at a house party, Aaliyah Gayles faced a daunting road to recovery.

Gayles, a physically gifted athlete known for her speed, agility and bounce, could not bend her fingers enough to hold a toothbrush for a couple of months following the incident.

Aaliyah's body had a lot of injuries and broken bones. Her father, Dwight Gayles, feared that her basketball career might be over.

"I thought basketball was over..." Dwight said. "I'm thinking, like, reality. Both legs. Both arms. People don't just bounce back from something like that, you know? But I forgot who I was talking about."

After having numerous successful surgeries, Gayles stayed hopeful about playing again. She had always dreamed of going to USC and signed her letter of intent while in the hospital. She started at USC on July 14, 2022, and in November 2023, 19 months after the shooting, she scored her first college basket.