Aaliyah Chavez did everything in high school except rep the USA. That changes at Nike Hoops Summit.

PORTLAND — Aaliyah Chavez had the high school career most players only dream about:

• Named 2025 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year.
• Averaged 34.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 3.7 steals per game, leading her Monterey High School team to a 37-5 record and the Texas 5A Division 2 state title.
• Got shouted out by Trae Young when she committed to Oklahoma.
• Inspiring a generation of young players and fans who travel hours to see her play.
• Become a social media sensation, including more than 85,000 Instagram followers.

However, she had never played for USA Basketball or worn that USA across the front of her jersey.

That changes Saturday night when she laces them up for the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland (7:30 p.m. on the USA Network and streaming on Peacock), playing with and against the best high school seniors from around the globe.

She is not taking this for granted.

"It means a lot. I've grown up in the USA, so just coming out and supporting my country just means a lot," Chavez told NBC Sports. "And just to be able to wear this jersey, it's just such a blessing, just because not a lot of people get to put on this jersey."

Part of that pride is because she understands what her wearing that jersey represents. Chavez is of Mexican descent, is proud of that and how she has inspired a generation of younger hoopers.

"I feel just all the little kids that look up to me," Chavez said. "I think it's just me coming out, just showing them that it's possible if you work hard, if you put your mind to it, then you'll, you'll get the accolades you want.

She's getting something out of the week of practices and scrimmages at the Nike Hoops Summit, too — going against the best in practice is forcing her to raise her game.

"Mentally, you just got to focus and make sure that you're on your best ability every practice, because these are great girls that you're working with and going against," Chavez said. "And then, physically, they're hard, they're strong, so you just got to make sure you're on your 'A' game, every game."

Strong work ethic

Being on her "A" game all the time is part of what Chavez is known for — she developed a smooth stroke and the handles that help her create the space to get that shot off through countless hours in the gym, specifically working with her father, Sonny (who has been her trainer since she started playing).

Chavez and her father say the drive was there before her skills caught up to ...