Virgin Islander Aliyah Boston entered the professional basketball arena Monday night as the No. 1 pick of the 2023 WNBA draft, heading to the Indiana Fever after helping the University of South Carolina Gamecocks earn three final four appearances over the past four years as power forward, and a national championship in 2022.
Boston was also a three-time first-team All-American, a two-time Naismith Defensive Player of the Year honoree and the 2022 National Player of the Year, while earning four Lisa Leslie Center of the Year awards throughout her career.
According to national news reports, Boston is a cornerstone of the Fever’s rebuilding strategy, coming in alongside a few key returns from its 2022 squad, including leading scorer Kelsey Mitchell. With Boston in the mix, basketball experts reported the Fever, with only five wins last season, have a “strong foundation for the future.”
“Aliyah Boston will have an immediate impact on our franchise on and off the court,” Indiana’s General Manager Lin Dunn said in a public statement Monday night. ‘We are excited to pair her with Kelsey (Mitchell) and NaLyssa (Smith) as we reload the Indiana Fever. We are very impressed with Aliyah’s post skills as well as her natural leadership skills. This is a great day for our franchise!”
Like many in the draft, Boston had the opportunity to take advantage of the NCAA’s COVID waiver, which granted an extra year of eligibility to spring, fall and winter athletes whose 2020-2021 season was impacted by the pandemic. Boston opted to turn pro instead and enter the draft, declaring alongside more than 100 other players.
