Aliyah Boston’s third season in the WNBA was a big one. She averaged career highs in points, assists, and field-goal attempts per game and helped lead the Fever to an unlikely semifinals run despite a bunch of season-ending injuries to key players. Boston was rewarded with a third All-Star nod and spots on the All-WNBA Second Team and the All-Defensive Second Team.
Boston could soon add some Unrivaled honors to her ever-growing list of accolades. On the latest episode of Post Moves Candace Parker said that she would pick Boston or Dominique Malonga as the Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year after the first few games. Boston is making a very strong case for the award.
Boston is off to a great start with the Phantom
Last season, Boston came off the bench for the Vinyl, backing up Dearica Hamby. As a result, her minutes were very limited. This season, Boston is a starter for the Phantom and is playing very well on both ends of the floor.
Boston is the Phatom’s second-leading scorer behind Kelsey Plum and leads the team in rebounds, steals, and blocks per game. She averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2 blocks over her first five games. The Fever star is also working on her 3-point shot.
Boston’s talent as a post scorer is no secret. Her defense is a bit more underrated, but it has been on full display in Unrivaled. Boston is tied with Saniya Rivers for the most blocks per game, averaging more than 2025 WNBA Co-DPOY Alanna Smith. She is also tied for fourth in steals per game with Chelsea Gray. The only players averaging more steals are all guards: Veronica Burton, Brittney Sykes, and Lexie Hull.
While the season is still young, Boston’s early case for the Defensive Player of the Year award is obvious. Right now, Saniya Rivers is probably Boston’s biggest competition. Voters usually favor bigs when it comes to defensive awards, but Rivers is averaging just as many blocks while playing primarily on the perimeter.
One thing that works in Boston’s favor is her team’s success and her consistency. She recorded at least one steal in every game and at least one block in four out of five games. Her best defensive performances came against the Lunar Owls and the Hive. In the first game, she recorded three steals and three blocks. Against the Hive, she recorded two steals and four blocks.
Last season, the DPOY award went to Angel Reese, who led the league in rebounding and anchored the Rose’s top defense.