"Dawn (Staley) is gonna have a dawg on her team": Hoops fans react to clip of Aaliyah Chavez sending out a warning shot to opponents

Aaliyah Chavez, the 5-foot-11 point guard from Lubbock, Texas, is making waves once again. Bleacher Report Hoops shared a highlight post of the consensus No. 1 player in the class of 2025 on Instagram on Tuesday, sparking excitement and speculation about her college future.

The post captioned, "Aaliyah Chavez, the No. 1 player in the class of 2025, is having a MONSTER senior season😤," showed Chavez dominating on the court.

One clip in particular caught fans’ attention--Chavez sending a strong message to her opponents during the Second Mamba League Invitational in Los Angeles.

“I am in your town, and you're not lacing it up; you don't want that smoke. You know who you are; you know who I’m talking about too,” Chavez said, clearly not holding back.

With four straight 1,000-point seasons under her belt and averaging 35.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists this season, Chavez has proven she’s in a league of her own. And while she remains undecided about her college commitment, fans are speculating she’s destined to join Dawn Staley’s powerhouse program at South Carolina.

The comment section lit up with Gamecock fans imagining her future under Staley. One fan wrote:

“Oh nah, she's definitely going to be a Gamecock. Dawn is gonna have a dog on her team.”

Aaliyah Chavez via Instagram

“Need her at South Carolina under Dawn,” another added.

Others requested Chavez to team up with South Carolina’s roster:

“Come to SC, lil mama; you'll fit right in! Her and Lay running a fast break with Tessa Johnson on the wing and Joyce Edwards running down the middle would give opposing players NIGHTMARES.”

Some fans seemed almost certain of her destination.

“Yeah, she is going to South Carolina easily,” one wrote.

Another declared, “If Dawn locks her in, you can’t deny she is in GOAT conversations.”

Aaliyah Chavez via Instagram

One enthusiastic commenter even tagged Chavez directly:

“@the_aaliyah_chavez, we would love you to come to @gamecockwbb, the best team in the SEC and the nation.”

Will Aaliyah Chavez pick the Dawn Staley-led South Carolina?

Aaliyah Chavez is fielding offers from top programs, including Texas, Oklahoma, UCLA, South Carolina, and Texas Tech. One factor in South Carolina’s favor is its strong NIL infrastructure. The Gamecocks have several wealthy backers, which could be crucial given reports that Chavez is seeking a $1 million NIL deal. That steep asking price is reportedly why Kim Mulkey and LSU, one of the most prominent programs in the country, are no longer in the running for the Texas native.

Beyond financial considerations, South Carolina’s winning legacy is another major draw. Under Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have become a powerhouse in women’s basketball. This season, they are ranked No. 2 in the nation and are favorites to make another Final Four run, with hopes of defending their NCAA title.