Aalyah Del Rosario draws Shaq comparisons
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José de Jesus Ortiz, Founder & Editor in Chief
- February 16, 2023
Future LSU star Aalyah Del Rosario racks up All-America honors
At 6-foot-5, Aalyah Del Rosario already draws comparisons to some of the best post players in women’s basketball history. Moreover, the native of the Dominican Republic is considered the best girls post player in the Class of 2023.
She’s an intimidating presence on the court, surpassing the 1,000 mark in rebounds and points at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tenn. Del Rosario is also a lovable, charismatic personality off the court. Her impressive resume seemingly adds a new honor almost weekly.
Del Rosario has signed to play at Louisiana State University, where Shaquille O’Neal starred with a similar game and personality.
‘Always has a smile’
“Aalyah is like Shaquille O’Neal,” said Matt Shewmake, her coach at The Webb School. “She always does a good job. Aalyah always has a smile and is always giving hugs. She’s fun-loving.”
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Del Rosario left the Dominican Republic at 12 years old. She began her career in the Bronx, N.Y.
She has continued to blossom at The Webb School with fellow LSU signee Angelica Velez. Aalyah Del Rosario earned another major honor Wednesday when she was named to the inaugural women’s game at the Nike Hoop Summit.
She was one of 14 American players invited to compete against teams featuring top international basketball players ages 19 and younger. The Nike Summit will be held on April 8 at Moda Center in Portland, Ore.
McDonald’s All-American
Del Rosario was also one of 24 girls named to the prestigious McDonald’s All-America team last month. She’ll play at the McDonald’s All-American Game on March 28 at Houston’s Toyota Center.
That contest features the best American high school players against each other. Del Rosario was also a semifinalist for the Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year Award.
She is no stranger to international competition. She helped the U.S. win the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“Aalyah brings a dominant inside presence to our front court,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said after signing Del Rosario. “She has closely followed post players that I have coached in the past and has the capability to be the next great post player at LSU. I can’t wait to get Aalyah to Baton Rouge and get to work.”
José de Jesus Ortiz
Founder & Editor in Chief
Award-winning writer José de Jesus Ortiz, a former lead sports columnist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has covered Major League Baseball since 1997 in Los Angeles, St. Petersburg, New York and Houston. He was the first Latino to serve as president of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
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