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Aaliyah Gayles
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Aaliyah Gayles came into the season as the most decorated basketball player in Southern Nevada, and somehow raised her profile and level of play even further in her senior year.
- Female Athlete of the Year: Aaliyah Gayles, Spring Valley basketball
- Male Athlete of the Year: Justin Crawford, Bishop Gorman baseball
- Female Rising Star: Rebecca Diaconescu, Palo Verde swimming
- Male Rising Star: Yuval Cohen, Palo Verde soccer
- Sun Standout Award: Jenavi Alejandro, Centennial wrestling
- Team of the Year: Coronado girls golf
- Moment of the Year: Moapa Valley football returns home to a state-championship parade
- Game of the Year: Bishop Gorman beats Liberty in thrilling double-overtime basketball affair
- Female Scholar Athlete of the Year: Zoey Robinson, Boulder City volleyball
- Male Scholar Athlete of the Year: Jeffrey Morosini, Durango football and wrestling
- Citizen of the Year: Nykita Rustad, Spring Valley cross country and track
- Hank Greenspun Lifetime Achievement Award: John Kennedy, official
- Coach of the Year: Kevin Soares, Liberty basketball
- Unsung Hero Awards: Marshall Cohen, referee, Kathleen Eakins, transportation, Laquedra Parks, police officer and basketball coach
The Spring Valley High point guard reached No. 8 in ESPN’s Class of 2022 recruiting rankings, made the McDonald’s All-American Game and led the Grizzlies to the state tournament after averaging nearly 14 points and five rebounds per game.
Gayles committed to the University of Southern California and was expected to be an immediate contributor to the Trojans before tragedy struck in April. She was shot 10 times at a house party but underwent three emergency surgeries to survive.
Gayles remains hospitalized but is expected to make a full recovery. She has become an inspiration due to the upbeat messages she has expressed through social message.
“God’s plan I will be back soon,” Gayles tweeted on May 17. “One step at a time.”
Gayles had played at the Jordan Brand Classic—the second most prestigious high school All-Star event behind the McDonald’s All-American Game—in Chicago the night before she was shot. USC honored her commitment, as Gayles signed a letter of intent less than a week later.
Her sights remain on eventually getting back on the court and reaching her goal of playing professional basketball. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb isn’t putting it past her, calling Gayles “one of the most talented, athletically-gifted basketball players I’ve known.”
“Aaliyah is quite simply a unique and special young person who worked hard in every aspect to become a Trojan,” Gottlieb said in a statement. “It is these characteristics that, in her recent time of extreme trial, have allowed her to survive and will ensure that she continues to thrive. Aaliyah is part of the USC family and we could not be more proud to be on this journey with her, every step of the way.”
Finalists
Kelcey Aczon, Desert Oasis bowling
Averaged a 206.3 score while running away with the individual state championship.
Charelle Aki, Sierra Vista softball Finished the regular season with a .576 batting average, .649 on-base percentage and 61 RBI.
Caroline Edgeworth, Bishop Gorman volleyball
Won the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year Award while leading the Gaels to a third-straight state championship with a state-best 1,330 assists.