UPDATED 4/19, 11:55 a.m.: A GoFundMe has been launched to “help Aaliyah and her family in the recovery and rehabilitation process as it’ll undoubtedly be a long journey that includes surgeries, travel, rehabilitation, medical bills, and time away from work.”
The page states the 18-year-old hooper was “rushed into trauma with over 10 shots to her extremities” and has “already undergone extensive surgeries and will have more to come.”
So far over $14,000 has been collected via 227 donations.
“The family is overwhelmed with gratitude for the amount of support this community has shown,” concludes the GoFundMe’s description. “The journey to recovery won’t be easy, but this star always finds a way to persevere and will continue to do.”
You can donate to the fund for Aaliyah Gayles here.
See original story below.
Aaliyah Gayles, a five-star USC women’s basketball recruit, was hospitalized on Saturday after she was shot multiple times at a house party in Las Vegas.
ESPN reports Gayles, 18, was one of four people, including two minors, who suffered gunshot wounds after a fight erupted around 11:15 p.m. inside a residence in North Vegas. Gayles, who recently played in the McDonald’s All American Game, underwent two emergency surgeries Sunday morning.
“Aaliyah is one of the strongest, most resilient young people I have ever known,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said in a statement to ESPN. “I have no doubt she will continue to face this unfathomable situation with courage and resolve. We will continue to support her and her parents in every way that we possibly can.”
The No. 8-ranked recruit in ESPN’s Class of 2022, Gayles averaged 13.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.3 assists per game this season, leading Las Vegas’ Spring Valley High School to the Class 5A state tournament.
Gayles’ father Dwight took to Twitter Sunday night to ask the Vegas community to keep his daughter in their prayers.
“I know there is some that will say it’s my fault and I take full responsibility for it but please please keep my baby girl in your prayers, Las Vegas,” he wrote. “I will give everyone that support Aaliyah an update but she’s ok. She’s going to make it like always. Thank you all.”
