Aaliyah Gayles, a redshirt freshman from the University of Southern California basketball team, is named the Class of 2024 Honda Inspiration Award winner as announced by Chris Voelz of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda (CWSA).

An Inspiration Award winner has been selected annually for the past 36 years. The Honda Inspiration Award is given to a deserving female student-athlete in Division I, II or III who has experienced extraordinary physical and/or emotional adversity, injury and/or illness, or experienced extraordinary personal sacrifice during her college enrollment as a student-athlete and yet returns to athletic success.

Gayles was chosen as the winner by the CWSA Board of Directors, and the three finalists were chosen by the CWSA Inspiration Award committee. The other two finalists were Meghan Hunter (BYU, Track & Field) and Annie Tate (Wheaton (Ill.), Basketball).

“I’m very grateful and honored to win this award,” said Gayles. “It’s a big moment for me to have come this far and to be recognized for my hard work and dedication. I’m also very happy to be among these other two finalists who have also overcome so much. I want to say thank you to everyone for believing in me and my story, and for all the support and love I have received. Fight on!”

Each of the 2024 finalists’ stories were highlighted in an hour-long Honda Inspiration Award special on CBS Sports Network, Defying the Odds: The 2024 Honda Inspiration Award. This program will re-air 10 times on CBS Sports Network during June, including Monday, June 24th, at 6:30 pm ET, leading into the Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda live award show at 7:00 pm ET.

“All three finalists were certainly deserving, and any of them could have been selected as the Honda Inspiration Award winner,” stated Voelz. “However, Aaliyah’s story stood out as incredibly compelling. After being shot approximately nine times in both arms and legs, fracturing bones and opening arteries, she required multiple immediate surgeries. Her journey of rehabbing for over a year—from a physically gifted athlete to relearning how to walk, and ultimately returning to the court—is a remarkable testament to her effort and resilience. It’s a story that truly inspires us all.”

“Aaliyah Gayles’ story of her overcoming incredible odds for returning to her sport is filled with sheer determination and dedication toward getting back on the court with her teammates,” said Jean Lenti Ponsetto, Chair of the CWSA Board of Directors. “Her courage and commitment are truly inspirational.”

Gayles, a McDonald’s High School All-American out of Las Vegas, Nev., overcame a harrowing ordeal after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds at a house party in her senior year of high school. Despite enduring multiple fractures and surgeries, Gayles remained steadfast in her commitment to basketball, signing her National Letter of Intent to USC from her hospital bed.

The guard began play in the fall of 2023 and her return to the court, marked by a standing ovation and her first three-pointer as a Trojan, symbolized her unwavering determination and courage. Gayles averaged 1.4 ppg on a veteran-laden team and helped the Trojans to the Elite Eight of the 2024 NCAA Championship.

"We are thrilled that Aaliyah is being recognized with such a prestigious award for the qualities that we see every day: her fighting spirit, belief, loyalty and incredible strength,” stated head women’s basketball coach Lindsay Gottlieb. “The Honda Awards recognize the best of the best in collegiate athletics, and AG belongs in this company. She has handled an unfathomable circumstance with unwavering faith and strength. She is a valued and important member of our USC women’s basketball team and remains an inspiration to our staff and players, as well as anyone who has the pleasure to know her. We are very proud.”

The CWSA, entering its 48th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service.  Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.  

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve the lives of people while conducting its business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accordingly, Honda believes in helping people reach their life’s potential through its focus on the areas of education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.