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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

When Candace Parker retired from the WNBA, she didn’t just leave behind 15 illustrious seasons from which players could draw inspiration. She also set a benchmark of achievements for them to aspire to surpass. But that’s not all. Beyond her on-court success, Parker had an undeniable presence off the court too. From becoming the first female commentator for the NBA All-Star Game to dominating NCAA Tournament coverage, she set a standard. Seems like one’s ready to follow now.

Terrell Owens holding Dude Wipes XL

Just hours before hitting the hardwood with Vinyl BC, Aliyah Boston found herself in a completely different arena. Dressed in a stunning working-girl fit, she stepped into the Xfinity halftime report studio to break down plays from the USC vs. Indiana matchup. “Just a working gal,” she captioned a glimpse of her studio session on her official Instagram.

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But this isn’t anything new to the Indiana Fever star. Boston made her broadcasting debut for Big Ten women’s basketball games on Peacock right after her rookie season. “another door that God has opened,” she had penned on X. Months later, she was announced to have made the Final Four panel alongside the likes of Chiney Ogwumike and Elle Duncan. And a year in, she was back at Xfinity with Carolyn Manno and Meghan McKeown, offering a glimpse of the panel behind the scenes.

Her new role had earned her more than enough love from the fans alongside a validation from her panel. “My GOAT… Thank you for being the ultimate role model,” Boston had shared during Parker’s retirement, who has contributed to March Madness coverage, been an analyst for NBA on TNT, and joined the crew at Inside the NBA. Looks like the Fever guard might as well follow the path post her own playing days. For now, she has more on her hand for the offseason.

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Reflecting Candace Parker’s career aside, Boston arrives at Unrivaled with an intent

From working in the studio to preparing for Unrivaled, a new 3×3 league, Boston is honing her skills. “Allowing me to work in space, and allowing me to just be confident in the stuff I’ve worked on this offseason, I think that’s the biggest thing,” the star guard had said speaking of how the league is going to be of help. The lack of stints in the off season affected Boston’s start to the W in her 2nd year. So she is hoping this would bridge the gap and help her strengthen skills the Fever could use.

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She also has strategy in place, noting, “I think there’s just a lot of space on the floor, so as individuals, it’s making sure we’re guarding our own.” And Boston seems to be executing well. Despite playing against a talented Rose BC roster featuring rookie sensation Angel Reese, Boston tipped off with a 79-73 win.

Her next game is against Phantom at 8:30 p.m. ET to be aired on TNT. Candace Parker will be on the network’s Unrivaled Studio, making for some exciting coverage. Maybe Boston would herself there some day.

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Yashika Dutta

2,141 Articles

Yashika Dutta is a Basketball Writer at EssentiallySports, covering the NCAA, WNBA, and Olympics. A member of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, she specializes in the high-stakes energy of college basketball, with features on the Big Ten Conference and the chaos of March Madness that bring fans right to the hardwood. Her coverage has even caught the attention of UConn coaches and Olympian Rori Dunk, earning her recognition for both accuracy and insight. A former state-level basketball player, Yashika channels her on-court experience into reporting that captures the game’s intensity beyond the box score. With a player’s sense of timing and a journalist’s instinct for storytelling, she shines a light on rising stars like Caitlin Clark and JuJu Watkins, while unpacking the pressures and triumphs that shape college hoops. Whether charting a Big Ten rivalry or chronicling the ethos of March Madness, Yashika connects fans to the heart of the game with energy and authenticity.

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Shivatmika Manvi

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