In a remarkable display of courage and resilience, Aaliyah Gayles made her triumphant return to basketball after surviving a horrific shooting in 2022. Her inspiring comeback has captured the hearts of fans and athletes alike. From being shot multiple times to receiving a standing ovation on the court, Gayles’ journey is a testament to the power of the human spirit. Get the latest updates on this inspiring story and other top sports news at Goldsport.vn.
Aaliyah Gayles’ Inspiring Return to Basketball After Devastating Shooting
Overcoming Adversity
Aaliyah Gayles’ return to basketball is a story of resilience and determination. After being shot multiple times in 2022, Gayles suffered fractures in all four limbs and underwent multiple surgeries. Despite these challenges, she made a remarkable comeback 574 days later, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. Gayles’ story is an inspiration to anyone who has faced adversity.
Fulfilling a Promise
Before the shooting, Gayles was considered one of the top recruits in the country. She was ranked No. 8 in the 2022 class and was a McDonald’s All American. After the shooting, Gayles vowed to return to basketball. She made good on that promise by returning to play for USC. Gayles’ return is a testament to her love of the game and her unwavering spirit.
| Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Aaliyah Gayles | USC | 12 |
| Audi Crooks | Iowa State | 40 |
| Kim Mulkey | LSU | N/A |
Audi Crooks’ Historic Performance Leads Iowa State to Unforgettable Comeback
Audi Crooks put on a historic performance in Iowa State’s NCAA tournament debut, scoring 40 points on 90% shooting. Her 40 points tied for the second-most in an NCAA tournament debut, and she became the first player in tournament history to score 40 points on such high shooting efficiency. Crooks’ performance led Iowa State to a come-from-behind victory over UT Arlington, and she was named the Most Outstanding Player of the game.
| Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Aaliyah Gayles | USC | 12 |
| Audi Crooks | Iowa State | 40 |
| Kim Mulkey | LSU | N/A |
Crooks’ performance was even more impressive considering that she was playing on a torn ACL. She suffered the injury in the Big 12 tournament, but she decided to play through the pain in the NCAA tournament. Crooks’ toughness and determination were an inspiration to her team and the fans.
LSU Coach Kim Mulkey’s Blunt Assessment of Team’s Performance
“Selfish” and “Ugly”
LSU coach Kim Mulkey did not mince words when assessing her team’s performance in their NCAA tournament opener against Rice. Mulkey criticized her team’s play as “selfish” and “ugly,” saying that they “didn’t play together.” LSU ultimately won the game 74-54, but Mulkey was not satisfied with the performance.
“We didn’t play together,” Mulkey said. “We were selfish. We didn’t make the extra pass. We didn’t rebound the basketball. We didn’t defend. It was an ugly, ugly win.”
Areas for Improvement
Mulkey pointed to several areas where her team needs to improve, including rebounding, defense, and ball movement. She said that her team needs to be more physical on the boards and that they need to do a better job of helping each other on defense. Mulkey also said that her team needs to move the ball more and create better shots for each other.
“We’ve got to get better,” Mulkey said. “We’ve got to rebound the basketball. We’ve got to defend. We’ve got to move the basketball. We’ve got to make the extra pass. We’ve got to get better shots.”
Moving Forward
Despite the criticism, Mulkey said that she believes her team can improve and make a run in the NCAA tournament. She said that her team needs to learn from their mistakes and that they need to come together as a group.
“We’ve got to learn from this,” Mulkey said. “We’ve got to come together as a group. We’ve got to get better. We’ve got to play harder. We’ve got to play together. And we’ve got to win games.”
| Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Aaliyah Gayles | USC | 12 |
| Audi Crooks | Iowa State | 40 |
| Kim Mulkey | LSU | N/A |
Cinderella Stories: Middle Tennessee and Nebraska Make NCAA Tournament Noise
Middle Tennessee Stuns Louisville
Middle Tennessee pulled off a major upset in the NCAA tournament, defeating Louisville 70-64. The Blue Raiders were a 13-seed in the tournament, while Louisville was a 4-seed. Middle Tennessee led by just 3 points with less than 4 minutes remaining, but they made some key plays down the stretch to secure the victory.
“This is a huge win for our program,” said Middle Tennessee coach Rick Insell. “We’ve been working hard all year, and it’s great to see it pay off in the NCAA tournament.”
Nebraska Secures First NCAA Tournament Win Since 2014
Nebraska also pulled off an upset in the NCAA tournament, defeating Butler 70-56. The Cornhuskers were a 9-seed in the tournament, while Butler was an 8-seed. Nebraska led by just 4 points at halftime, but they pulled away in the second half to secure the victory.
“This is a big win for our program,” said Nebraska coach Amy Williams. “We’ve been working hard all year, and it’s great to see it pay off in the NCAA tournament.”
| Team | Seed | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Tennessee | 13 | Win |
| Louisville | 4 | Loss |
| Nebraska | 9 | Win |
| Butler | 8 | Loss |
Top Teams Advance: Stanford
Despite their upset loss in the previous year’s NCAA tournament, Stanford advanced to the second round of the 2022 tournament with a 72-59 victory over Montana State. The Cardinal were led by senior forward Cameron Brink, who had 22 points and 15 rebounds. Stanford also received strong contributions from sophomore guard Haley Jones (16 points) and junior guard Hannah Jump (13 points).
| Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Brink | Stanford | 22 |
| Haley Jones | Stanford | 16 |
| Hannah Jump | Stanford | 13 |
Stanford’s victory was their 12th in a row, and they will face a tough test in the second round against 5th-seeded Georgia.
Baylor
Dominant Inside Scoring Leads Baylor to Victory
Baylor’s size and athleticism were on full display in their first-round NCAA tournament game against Vanderbilt. The Lady Bears dominated the paint, scoring 42 points in the paint compared to Vanderbilt’s 18. Baylor also outrebounded Vanderbilt 45-29, including 17 offensive rebounds.
| Player | Points | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|
| NaLyssa Smith | 20 | 13 |
| Darianna Littlepage-Buggs | 16 | 8 |
| Sarah Andrews | 12 | 7 |
Balanced Scoring Attack
While Baylor’s inside game was impressive, they also received contributions from their guards. Sarah Andrews hit three 3-pointers and dished out 5 assists, while Jordan Lewis added 10 points and 6 rebounds. This balanced scoring attack makes Baylor a difficult team to defend.
Matchup with Virginia Tech
Baylor will face Virginia Tech in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Hokies are a tough opponent, but Baylor will be confident in their ability to win. The Lady Bears have a lot of experience in the NCAA tournament, and they are looking to make another deep run this year.
“We’re excited to be in the second round,” said Baylor coach Nicki Collen. “Virginia Tech is a great team, but we’re confident in our ability to win. We have a lot of experience in the NCAA tournament, and we’re looking to make another deep run this year.”
Alabama Secure Victories
Despite Challenges, Alabama Defeats Florida State
Alabama faced some challenges in their first-round NCAA tournament game against Florida State. The Crimson Tide were without two of their key players, forward Aaliyah Nye and guard Megan Abrams. Nye was injured in the SEC tournament, while Abrams was suspended for violating team rules. Despite these absences, Alabama rallied to defeat Florida State 74-68.
“I’m proud of my team for stepping up and getting this win,” said Alabama coach Kristy Curry. “We had some adversity to overcome, but we never gave up.”
Sophomore guard Jada Rice led Alabama with 20 points, while senior forward Jasmine Walker added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Brittany Davis also chipped in with 16 points.
| Player | Points | Rebounds |
|---|---|---|
| Jada Rice | 20 | 5 |
| Jasmine Walker | 17 | 10 |
| Brittany Davis | 16 | 4 |
Alabama Advances to Second Round
Alabama’s victory over Florida State was their 11th in a row, and they will face North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA tournament. North Carolina is a tough opponent, but Alabama will be confident in their ability to win. The Crimson Tide have a lot of experience in the NCAA tournament, and they are looking to make another deep run this year.
“We’re excited to be in the second round,” said Curry. “North Carolina is a great team, but we’re confident in our ability to win. We have a lot of experience in the NCAA tournament, and we’re looking to make another deep run this year.”
Final Thought
The 2022 NCAA tournament has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with inspiring stories, historic performances, and coaching controversy. Aaliyah Gayles’ return to basketball is a testament to her strength and resilience. Audi Crooks’ performance was one for the record books. LSU coach Kim Mulkey’s blunt assessment of her team’s performance sparked discussion about accountability and leadership. The tournament is far from over, and there are sure to be more memorable moments ahead. Keep up with the latest updates on goldsport.vn.
