Before becoming the number one pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, Aliyah Boston played for Dawn Staley at South Carolina for four years. Over those four years, she won an NCAA championship and was named NCAA Tournament MOP, AP Player of the Year, and Naismith College Player of the Year, among many other honors. She also won the Wade Trophy, four Lisa Leslie Awards, and two Naismith Defensive Player of the Year awards.
It was a stellar college career that prepared Boston well for the next level. Her transition to the WNBA was seamless. But, according to Dawn Staley, Boston is only getting started.
Boston was in attendance at South Carolina’s game against USC, and, naturally, came up in the postgame press conference. Staley noted that Boston would be around her Alma Mater next week, allowing current players to talk to and learn from her—an opportunity Staley values immensely.
“I’m sure they’re going to pick her brain about how well she made the transition from college to the pros,” Staley said. “She’s on the All-WNBA Second Team, and I think she’s on her way to being MVP because she works extremely hard on her craft.”
Aliyah Boston put together three great years in the WNBA
The Fever weren’t very good in Boston’s rookie season, but that didn’t stop her from putting up impressive numbers. She averaged 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks. Those numbers earned her a unanimous Rookie of the Year selection and her first All-Star appearance.
Boston’s sophomore season was much more successful. The Fever drafted Caitlin Clark and made the playoffs behind strong play from the big three of Clark, Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. Boston was an All-Star for the second year in a row.
2025 was a true breakout season for the Fever. They made the playoffs despite several season-ending injuries, upset the Dream in the first round, and took the Aces to a Game 5 in the semifinals. It was Boston’s best season yet. She averaged 15 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Boston also played well in the playoffs, holding her own against Bri Jones and A’ja Wilson. She finished the season with a third All-Star selection, the All-WNBA Second Team, and the All-Defensive Second Team on her resume.
There are many great bigs in the league
Aliyah Boston received MVP votes this season and finished tied for sixth place in the voting with Nneka Ogwumike. She has not truly entered the conversation yet, though, and doing that will be a challenge. The WNBA is dominated by great bigs.
A’ja Wilson is the best player in the world right now and is on track to become the best player to ever play the game. She will continue to dominate the MVP conversations for many years.
Napheesa Collier and Alyssa Thomas were the other top candidates for the MVP award this year and neither is going anywhere. Collier finished the season in the exclusive 50-40-90 club, and Thomas is a walking triple-double.