For the first time in franchise history, the Indiana Fever had the first pick in the WNBA draft. In any other circumstance, the choice would be one requiring heavy delegation. However, this season there was one college basketball star who cleared everyone. This is none other than South Carolina center Aliyah Boston.

Her four seasons with the program transformed not only her draft value but also the college itself. Boston’s play isn’t anything flashy, nor is she the most visible star on the court. The 2022 Naismith Player of The Year’s brand is simple, and her sole focus is to win. Each game a new color of braids marked her presence. Shattering a flurry of South Carolina records, Boston became a basketball phenom.

Where did Aliyah Boston grow up?

Boston grew up in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. At just the tender age of 9, she found her love in basketball by watching her elder sister play. The dream was set in her head. And to have a shot to make it a reality, she took one of the biggest decisions of her life. The now number 1 WNBA pick moved thousands of miles away from home to New England.

The 21-year-old attended Worcester Academy in Massachusetts. It was here that she first burst onto the scene. In high school, she earned her first All-American honors. During this time, Boston also played on the USA national roster. Her mission was to get a college scholarship. 50 programs lined up to recruit the generational talent. In the end, Boston would choose South Carolina, a decision her parents were extremely happy with.

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The main reason was the connection they felt with the program’s legendary coach, Dawn Staley. And so began her journey to becoming one of the most decorated college basketball stars of all time.

The dominant college career of Aliyah Boston

Her freshman season with South Carolina was quiet, but still historic. In her very first game, she recorded a triple-double, the first by a freshman in the program’s history. Aliyah Boston would set the all-time freshman record for blocks and be named Freshman of The Year. The season was cut short due to the pandemic in 2019. She would average 12.5 points,  9.4 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. The 21-year-old sensation would also win the first of her four Lisa Leslie awards.

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As a sophomore, Aliyah Boston would establish herself as the best in her class. The Athletic named her the National Player of The Year and she became a unanimous first-team, All-American member, the first of her three consecutive selections. In the SEC tournament, she showed out in the finals, putting up 27 points and 10 rebounds. She would win SEC tournament MVP that season, and her second consecutive Defensive Player of The Year honor.

The junior season arguably solidified Boston as the best player in the nation. She led South Carolina to their second National Championship and won NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player. The 6’5″ forward became the first player in history to win both Naismith Defensive Player of The Year and Naismith Player of the Year honors in the same season. The junior had a record 30 double-doubles. She averaged a career-high 16.8 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in her highlight year.

In her final season, Boston’s focus gravitated towards being a leader for the underclassmen. She sacrificed her own game and led from the front. For her teammates, she was the voice of the locker room. Boston would still garner accolades winning a second straight Naismith Defensive Player of The Year. Her tournament run would come to an end against the reigning Player of The Year Caitlin Clark in what was deemed to be a Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird rivalry by The Athletic. 

During her college tenure, defenses jumped on her with the sole motive of shutting her down. She held the key for South Carolina and her bravery led to success. At times there were quadruple teams thrown at her just so the opposition could stop her. Her game goes far beyond the stats, and many believe she is still a superior talent in comparison to Clark.

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Her legacy will probably remain untouched. She won it all and left with an impact that her teammates will never forget. Aliyah Boston made her name as a leader. A competing force on the court, the 21-year-old is a pioneer off the floor. Her unique deal with Under Armour truly proves just now inspirational of a woman she truly is.

Boston’s Deal with Under Armour

After winning the NCAA Championship, Boston locked in a multi-faceted deal with Under Armour. the $2 billion company is the official partner of the South Carolina program, hence working with the biggest star in college basketball was easy. While the brand refused to reveal the financial details, the decorated South Carolina forward revealed her intentions of working towards the development of her community.

Describing the true motives of her partnership, she hopes to “continue building and growing the women’s basketball community,”

To make her mission come to life, Under Armour holds a basketball camp in her hometown of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Aliyah Boston wants to create more opportunities for girls to explore their talents and make their dreams come true.

Now the WNBA stage awaits the arrival of Aliyah Boston. After finishing the season with an abysmal 5-31, Indiana Fever desperately needs a destructive force leading the way, a talent like the 2022 Naismith Player of The Year. The expectations have begun mounting, and the eyes will on be on Boston as she gets ready for the next chapter in her basketball career.