Aaliyah vs. Aaliyah: The Future of the Red River Rivalry Begins Now
When Aaliyah Crump signed with Texas in November 2024, she unknowingly stepped into a name game. The Longhorns were also chasing another elite guard - Aaliyah Chavez.
Two top-tier recruits, same first name, same initials. The question around the program wasn’t just how they’d share the court, but how they’d share a nickname.
“AC” was off the table - both of them had laid claim to it. Crump joked last fall, “If she does come here, we’ll see how that works out.”
Well, we got our answer. Chavez chose Oklahoma.
Crump stayed in Austin. Now, the name confusion is cleared up - and the rivalry is just getting started.
On Sunday, the two freshmen will go head-to-head for the first time as Texas hosts Oklahoma at the Moody Center in a Red River Rivalry showdown that’s got more than just bragging rights on the line. It’s a clash of two rising stars who were once potential teammates - and now represent the future of one of the most storied rivalries in women’s college basketball.
“She’s a great person, she’s a great player,” Crump said of Chavez. “I’m just excited to play in this game, play against a great Oklahoma team. It’s a big rivalry, so I think we’re all excited.”
Chavez Arrives in Norman - and Makes an Immediate Impact
Let’s be clear: Aaliyah Chavez didn’t just show up at Oklahoma - she’s been lighting it up. The 5-foot-10 guard has already taken home SEC Freshman of the Week honors six times this season. She leads the Sooners in both scoring (18.9 points per game) and assists (4.3 per game), and her 63 made threes rank 14th nationally.
This isn’t empty stat-padding, either. Last week, Chavez dropped 15 points in overtime to help Oklahoma upset then-No.
2 South Carolina. That’s the kind of performance that puts you on the national radar - and paints a big target on your back heading into a rivalry game.
Crump’s Return Adds Firepower to Texas
Crump’s path has been a little different. A foot injury sidelined her for 15 games, but since returning, she’s been making up for lost time.
In just seven appearances, she’s scored 92 points and started five games. On Thursday, she knocked down three triples in a win over Florida - more than the rest of the Texas roster had combined for in the previous three games.
Her presence stretches the floor and gives Texas another offensive weapon. And for head coach Vic Schaefer, that kind of contribution from a freshman is no small thing.
“I think you’ve got to give credit to the ones that do come in as freshmen and are able to play meaningful minutes,” Schaefer said. “To me, those still are few and far between. But I also think it’s a lot easier to do that when you’re on a good team.”
That’s certainly true for both Crump and Chavez, who landed at programs with deep rosters and high expectations.
From Recruiting Targets to Rivals
Texas made a serious push to land both Aaliyahs. Crump committed in July 2024 and later visited campus alongside Chavez.
Chavez had Texas among her finalists and was even in the building when the Longhorns clinched the SEC title last March. But ultimately, the Lubbock native chose the Sooners.
Any hard feelings?
“People make decisions for the best of their career and for themselves,” said Texas point guard Rori Harmon. “There’s nothing personal for me. She obviously thought that was the best for her, and I’m really happy for her that she made that decision.”
But Harmon didn’t stop there.
“The more competitive side of me, that means you have to play against us now. So that was your choice.
Now play against us. Now we’re going to bring the wrath.
Unfortunately, you go to a school that is our biggest rivalry too. So now it’s starting to get personal when we start to play against each other.”
That’s the Red River energy right there - mutual respect, but no love lost once the ball is tipped.
A Heavyweight Matchup Beyond the Freshmen
While Crump and Chavez are the headliners of the next generation, Sunday’s game is loaded with established stars. Texas (20-2, 5-2 SEC) is ranked No. 4 in the latest AP Poll, while Oklahoma (17-4, 5-3) sits at No.
- The rosters are stacked.
Texas forward Madison Booker is a two-time All-American. Harmon is already the program’s all-time assist leader and is closing in on the steals record. Oklahoma counters with Raegan Beers, an All-American last year at Oregon State, and Payton Verhulst, who’s earned all-conference honors in both the Big 12 and SEC.
And while Sunday’s matchup may be the last Red River game for Harmon, Beers, and Verhulst - unless these teams meet again in the SEC or NCAA tournaments - it’s just the beginning for Crump and Chavez.
The Rivalry’s Future Starts Now
This rivalry dates back to 1979, but it’s about to get a fresh coat of paint. Crump and Chavez are built to carry this thing forward - two elite guards with big-game experience already under their belts, and the kind of competitive fire that fuels matchups like this for years to come.
“I think they’re both obviously really good freshmen,” said ESPN’s Christine Williamson, who will host College GameDay from the Moody Center. “It’s been fun to kind of figure out who the next names in the sport are going to be and really watch them grow in the space. I’m excited to watch them out there on Sunday.”
So are we. One Aaliyah wears burnt orange.
The other wears crimson. And starting Sunday, they’ll be forever linked - not just by name, but by rivalry.