Vandy's Aubrey Galvan is the Future of Women's Basketball
The Vanderbilt freshman plays with a kind of magic you can’t teach—and can’t stop watching
Aubrey Galvan is the future of women’s basketball. I truly believe she will be a household name, sooner rather than later.
And here’s the crazy part—she’s not even the best player on Vanderbilt’s team right now.
That title belongs to Ms. Do-Everything, Mikayla Blakes.
The scary (and beautiful) thing? They make each other better.
I’ve been going to Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball games a lot lately, and I’m telling you—this has become my new favorite thing to do in Nashville. Not just because they’re good. Plenty of teams are good.
They’re fun.
Really fun. In a town of hit makers, the sweetest proverbial music of all might be coming from Memorial Gymnasium.
Nashville has plenty of entertainment options, but Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball may be the best value and bang for your buck in town.
Let me explain.
The Steve Nash Feeling
My favorite basketball player of all time is Steve Nash.
And no, that’s not the typical answer for someone who grew up in Chicago during the Chicago Bulls era with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.
But Nash was different.
And I’ll never forget the moment that locked that in for me.
Somewhere around 2000 or 2001, I took my best friend, Bobby, to the United Center to watch Nash play the Bulls. I have been to everything—Bulls playoff games, big-time college games, even Final Fours. I had seen the best of the best in person.
Nothing—nothing—felt like that night.
It was mesmerizing.
Not because of the stakes. Not because of the moment. But because of how he played. The way he saw the floor. The creativity. The passes that made you look at your buddy and just shake your head like, “Did you just just do that?” Followed by plenty of “WOWS!”
Of all the basketball I’ve ever seen live… that was the most memorable.
That’s what separates guys like Nash.
They don’t just play the game—they make you feel it.
Watching Magic Happen
And that’s Aubrey Galvan.
She doesn’t just run an offense—she creates moments.
The kind where the whole building reacts at once…
Aubrey Galvan - Pure Magic
As mentioned, Galvan plays with that same Steve Nash feel. That same imagination.
She throws passes that don’t just break defenses—they break expectations. She plays with pace, confidence, and a joy that jumps off the floor. You can feel it in the building.
And here’s the part people need to understand:
She’s a freshman.
A freshman with the kind of court vision and flair that can change how people consume the game. I’m not saying she is Caitlin Clark—but she has that same ability to draw you in. That “you have to watch this” factor.
And for me personally? This one hits home.
Galvan is from Deerfield, Illinois. Loyola Academy.
That’s right down the road from where I grew up in Vernon Hills. Those roots matter. You feel that connection. You pull for that.
So now I’ve got this kid from my backyard, playing in my current city, playing a style of basketball I absolutely love?
Yeah—I’m all in.
And Then There’s Mikayla Blakes
While Galvan is the artist, Blakes might be the assassin. She is just so pure in every facet.
Mikayla Blakes is one of the most gifted scorers in the country. Honestly, she is probably the single best player in America.
She can score from everywhere on the floor and makes it really hard to stop her when she slashes to the lane, her pure athleticism and ability to contort and get shot space in the air. Her game is smooth as silk.
She’s the kind of player you don’t just watch—you respect.
I respect her game so much I bought the NIL t-shirt jersey. I am proudly wearing my Blakes shirt all over Nashville.
And let me say this clearly: watching her play in person feels like you’re watching a future WNBA star before the rest of the world fully catches on.
Oh—and she’s only a sophomore.
Peas and Carrots
Together?
They’re perfect.
Galvan sets the table. Blakes eats. Honestly, they both eat plenty.
But it’s deeper than that—they feed off each other. Energy, pace, confidence. You can see the trust building in real time. That’s what makes this special.
This isn’t just talent.
This is chemistry.
The Shea Ralph Effect
Credit where it’s due—this is what Shea Ralph has built.
And if you know her story, it makes this even better.
Ralph was a star player at UConn Huskies women’s basketball under Geno Auriemma, then spent years on that staff helping build one of the greatest dynasties in sports.
Now she’s bringing that DNA to Nashville.
And you can feel it.
I’ve been to three games in the last two weeks—the atmosphere has been electric. Not just because they’re winning, but because people believe in this team.
They’re tough. They’re connected. They represent the city the right way.
That matters.
What’s at Stake
Vanderbilt is heading into the Sweet 16 against Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball and star guard Hannah Hidalgo—one of the best players in the country.
That’s a real test.
And if they win?
There’s a very real possibility they see UConn in the Elite Eight.
Think about that for a second.
Shea Ralph… against UConn.
Her program. Her roots. Her basketball home.
That’s not just a game—that’s a story.
Final Thought
This is why we watch sports.
Not just for wins. Not just for championships.
For moments like this—when something is building, and you can feel it before everyone else does. Vandy is here, and Vandy is special.
Right now, in Nashville, something is happening with Vanderbilt women’s basketball.
And if you haven’t been paying attention yet?
You’re going to want to start.