Aliyah Boston has officially arrived
Aliyah Boston said she usually keeps it cool when she comes face to face with the star basketball players she grew up watching on television. But last month her poker face slipped.
A rookie power forward and center for the Indiana Fever, Boston was in a thrilling battle against the Las Vegas Aces and she was rubbing shoulders with her childhood idol, Candace Parker.
“It was surreal,” Boston said. “We stand on the free-throw line and joke around. And I’m like, ‘Aliyah, don’t laugh. This is serious business.’”
Fifteen years ago, when Boston was just six years old, Parker won the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year Award. Now Boston is on track to do the same.
She was the first rookie to be named a starter for the WNBA All-Star Game in nine years and only the eighth rookie ever. The performance added to what has been an impressive season for Boston, who is draw comparisons to greats like Brittney Griner, A’ja Wilson and Elena Delle Donne just weeks into her professional career.
“She’s going to be a great one,” said Aces coach Becky Hammon, who also coached Boston in Saturday’s All-Star Game in Las Vegas. “Indiana has a center, literally a center to build around.”
Boston averages 15.4 points per game, the most of any freshman player, and shoots 61 percent of the league leaders. Boston, the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, has won the Rookie of the Month award so far this season.
“I never thought I’d be an All-Star in my rookie season,” Boston said Saturday. “It’s just a blessing to be in this position right now.”
Boston exudes confidence. When the All-Star lineups were announced, she danced onstage to the delight of her veteran teammates. And she’s ready for the job. Taking her Indiana Fever by 3 to the Liberty last week, Boston hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. The Liberty went on to win 95-87.
“She’s kind of going through unfamiliar territory,” said Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, “but she still makes sure she can make an impact on the pitch and play her game.”
Boston is known for making an impact. While playing for Coach Dawn Staley at South Carolina, Boston was a four-time All-American and set several team records, including in rebounds, double-doubles, and triple-doubles. In 2021, she led the Gamecocks to their second NCAA Division I title in program history. Now she’s trying to make her mark on a Fever team that has struggled for years. Wins are still hard to come by, but Boston has already proven its worth.
“It’s a smooth transition for her,” Staley said. She makes it look easy. And I know it isn’t.’
That transition from college to the WNBA comes with myriad challenges, from the pace of the game to the constant travel to the increased physicality, said Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, the No. 1 draft pick in 2020.
“It’s hard, and hats off to her and the entire Indiana organization for helping her do what she does,” Ionescu said. “That’s why they put her at 1, because they know what she’s capable of.”
Boston said her basketball IQ is the most important skill that has translated from college to the pros. Staley agreed.
“She makes the right basketball decisions,” said Staley. “And if you’ve played like that all your life, nothing changes. It’s only the people who change.”
One of the new people Boston has faced is Delle Donne, who was named rookie of the year in 2013. Delle Donne said one of the trickier aspects of entering the league is how quickly players have to get used to a new program, new coach and new teammates, but said none of that seems to have slowed Boston down. Last month, against Delle Donne’s Washington Mystics, Boston scored 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Fever’s 87-66 victory.
“She’s so dominant,” Delle Donne said. “I mean, she crushed us the other game. She is a rookie who needs veteran defensive plans.
Delle Donne added that it can be difficult to manage the pressure to come in as the No. 1 overall pick. Last season, the Fever finished bottom of the 12-team league with a 5-31 record.
“Knowing the expectation that you’re supposed to come and completely change a team is hard, but you can do it,” said Delle Donne. “When we come into the league there is always so much excitement about a new player who will continue to improve our game and make it even better. So night in, night out, people are watching what you do.”
For now, Boston seems unfazed by the attention.
“Something I always take with me is never get too high on the highs and too low on the lows,” Boston said. “Stay sober.”