Galvan Proves the Doubters Wrong, Takes Home SEC Freshman of the Year
Aubrey Galvan Is the Best and Most Impactful Freshman in the SEC
Today, the Southeastern Conference announced Aubrey Galvan as the SEC Freshman of the Year and as a member of the All-SEC Freshman Team.
Galvan has run the show as the Commodores’ point guard since day one. That is something that can be tough to do, but she thought nothing of it and took it head on.
Galvan has started 29 of 30 games this season, with the only non-start coming on Senior Day. She averages 12.9 points per game with 5.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game.
Galvan’s effect goes beyond just the box score. Her unbothered confidence and never too big demeanor has helped her carry the load all season. Speaking of the word load, Galvan has played a total of 1,028:17 minutes this season, averaging 34.3 per game. She does not like to come out, and that is something Coach Shea Ralph has talked about a lot.
“One of the great things about Aubrey is that nothing really gets under her skin. Half the time I think she’s up in the clouds thinking about something else. I’ll be like, ‘Aubrey, are you with me?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, I’m good. I’m good.’ She doesn’t get tired. She loves to play basketball,” said Shea Ralph.
“Unbothered is probably the best word. She’s unbothered. She’s just gonna get out there, and if something happens that she doesn’t like, she’s gonna learn from it. But you’re not gonna see it in her body language or on her face, unless I take her out. She doesn’t like that. But she’s a kid that just loves to play.”
Galvan’s biggest moments have come in big SEC games, and even after the LSU win, Kim Mulkey acknowledged that “the freshman” killed them.
“You know what you’re getting with her (Mikayla Blakes). What really killed you was your freshman (Aubrey Galvan). That’s what killed you,” said Mulkey. “So, compliments to her. I just thought that she got them over the hump, and hit big shots for them.”
Galvan was clutch in that game, scoring 14 points and adding three steals. Her 14 points were mostly threes in that game, as she knocked down four with her biggest coming with 2:05 left to put Vanderbilt up 60-58. They never relinquished the lead from then on.
Later on in the season at Kentucky, Galvan scored 16 with four major free throws coming in the last 19 seconds to help the Dores hang on to a one point win. Once again showing no pressure and stepping up in big moments when needed.
Then, you have to mention her career night against the then No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners. Galvan went for a career high 30 points as the Commodores ran the Sooners out of the gym in a 102-86 win. I asked Galvan in an interview later that week about that big game, and her answer was like the Vanderbilt Commodore mindset of the team.
“You take what (basketball) gives you. It’s just reading every play. But it was a team effort. I mean, everybody who stepped on the floor, the whole bench, all the coaching staff, they all contributed to us getting that win and how we did as well,” said Galvan. “We just have great teammates, and they’re pushing me to be better. I’m pushing them to be better. So, I just think we got the result we wanted because we stuck together.”
Aub the Baller is a fan favorite and definitely one of mine. What makes her so easy to root for is that she came into Vanderbilt not as a highly touted recruit. People said that she wasn’t big or tough enough to play in the SEC. She’s proved that wrong for 30 games now.
Still, she didn’t and doesn’t let outside noise get to her. Galvan just keeps her focus where it needs to be.
“Honestly, like for the most part, I don’t let outside noise come in, whether it’s good or bad. I try to just stay composed, know who I am. I have my circle of people. My team, team back home, and my coaches. So, I knew what I could do. I didn’t ever want to get too high or too low,” Galvan said.
“As long as I had the confidence in me, and I mean, Coach Ralph also had the confidence in me, and she’d let that be known from our first call as well. So, it means a lot when it does come from the head coach, and she also repeats it to you. But again, it’s up to me how I want to take it, and I didn’t really let it get too much in my head.”
Aubrey Galvan just plays basketball, and what she has done this season at Vanderbilt is admirable. She is trusted by all in black and gold to run the show, and she does it well.
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