Aliyah Boston’s rookie season wasn’t just about adjusting to the WNBA spotlight. It was a quiet battle of emotions, expectations, and self-doubt, one where a few timely words from Kelsey Mitchell became the steadying force she didn’t know she needed.

The Indiana Fever went through a struggling period in the WNBA before their fortunes changed after consecutive first picks in the draft. The 2023 first pick, Aliyah Boston, arrived from a hugely successful college program at South Carolina. Caitlin Clark arrived the following year from Iowa, and the Indiana Fever have since become a formidable team.

They won the Commissioner’s Cup title in 2025 and came close to entering the WNBA Finals, despite an injury-riddled season. But when Aliyah Boston arrived, the reality was different. The Indiana Fever were struggling to even post a winning record during her rookie year, and ended the season 13-27.

Aliyah Boston joined fellow Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell on the Aari & Rachel Unfiltered Podcast. She talked about her rookie career and how she experienced a culture shift going from always winning during her college basketball days with South Carolina to the Indiana Fever, who were towards the bottom end of the WNBA Standings.

“During rookie year, I just remember I was telling them. I used to be in the back of the bus just crying,” Boston admitted.

During her four years with the Gamecocks, the 24-year-old five-star recruit won multiple accolades under Head Coach Dawn Staley, including an NCAA Tournament title in her junior season.

To put things into perspective, the Gamecocks had lost just one game in the 2022-23 season as they succumbed to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. So, for a serial winner to come into the WNBA and not be competitive would have been a culture shock.

Kelsey Mitchell, though, added how she welcomed the 24-year-old to the Fever organization. As a Fever veteran, Mitchell had seen the worst of seasons, and her experience helped Boston adjust to life in Indiana. That is a story of the past, though, with the Fever now a Commissioner’s Cup holder and regarded as a genuine contender for the WNBA title as well.

Boston’s journey from struggling rookie to team leader has given her a unique perspective, not just on winning, but on the unique talents of her teammates, including the much-discussed Caitlin Clark.

Aliyah Boston doesn’t want to compare Caitlin Clark to anyone

As Caitlin Clark made her debut in front of the cameras during ‘Sunday Night Basketball’ alongside basketball greats, Reggie Miller was asked to compare the Indiana Fever star to someone from the NBA. Reggie named Payton Pritchard as a player who boasts the same skillset as Caitlin, something that has since divided fans over social media platforms.

Aliyah Boston and Candace Parker chimed in on the debate. Candace chose a more technical approach, creating a three-pronged comparison. She took Steph Curry’s range, Trae Young’s pick-and-roll ability, and Steve Nash’s fast shot release to create a Caitlin Clark-like player from the NBA.

However, Aliyah Boston chose a different route. Boston has seen Caitlin up close and personal during their time together in Indiana. Both players are likely to be protected from the Expansion Draft, which means they will team up again for the 2026 season.

The 24-year-old said she wouldn’t compare Caitlin Clark to anyone else and just had two words to describe her, “She’s her.”

Boston’s comments underscore Caitlin’s revered status within the Indiana setup and speak to the incredible chemistry among the players. within the Indiana setup, while also showcasing the incredible chemistry among the players.

Caitlin Clark has changed the global perception of the WNBA. The sport gained more viewers and attendance. And the players are now able to tap into the increased marketability through commercial deals, with Caitlin emerging as a global ambassador not just of the league but of Women’s Basketball.