Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Aliyah Boston

Discover the career path of Aliyah Boston, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Aliyah Boston is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA. Primarily playing power forward and center, she was named the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote, also earning AP Rookie of the Year honors. Boston played college basketball at the University of South Carolina.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 5, 2019: First Triple-Double at South Carolina

On November 5, 2019, in her first game at the University of South Carolina, Aliyah Boston posted the first triple-double by a freshman in program history and the first by any NCAA Division I player in her career debut against Alabama State, including a school-record tying 10 blocks.

2019: Paradise Jam Reef Division MVP

In 2019, Aliyah Boston won the Reef Division MVP at the Paradise Jam after recording 20 points and 13 rebounds in a win against No. 2 Baylor, which clinched the tournament championship.

2019: Committed to South Carolina Gamecocks

In 2019, Aliyah Boston, a five-star recruit, committed to Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks over UConn, Ohio State, and Notre Dame. This gave the Gamecocks the consensus number one recruiting class for 2019.

January 20, 2020: Eighth Double-Double of the Season

On January 20, 2020, Aliyah Boston achieved her eighth double-double of the season, finishing with 12 rebounds and 21 points in a win over No. 9 Mississippi State.

2022: National Championship and Most Outstanding Player

In 2022, Aliyah Boston led South Carolina to their second national championship in school history and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (MOP). She also won Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.

April 1, 2023: Declared for the 2023 WNBA draft

On April 1, 2023, Aliyah Boston declared for the 2023 WNBA draft, forgoing her extra year of college eligibility. She ended her four-year collegiate career with 129 wins and 9 losses.

April 10, 2023: First overall pick in WNBA draft

On April 10, 2023, Aliyah Boston was selected as the first overall pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever.

December 10, 2023: Represented Fever at WNBA Draft Lottery

On December 10, 2023, Aliyah Boston represented the Fever at the 2024 WNBA draft lottery, contributing to Indiana securing the first overall pick for the second straight year, where they selected Caitlin Clark.

2023: WNBA Rookie of the Year and League Leader

At the end of the 2023 season, Aliyah Boston was unanimously named WNBA Rookie of the Year and also earned AP All-Rookie Team recognition. She became the first player in WNBA history to lead the league in field goal percentage (57.8%) as a rookie.

2023: Graduation from the University of South Carolina

In 2023, Aliyah Boston graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in communications and planned to work in broadcast sports journalism after her playing career.

2023: WNBA Rookie of the Year

In 2023, Aliyah Boston was named WNBA Rookie of the Year in a unanimous vote and was also named AP Rookie of the Year.

2023: NCAA Tournament Loss to Iowa

In the 2023 NCAA tournament, Aliyah Boston's South Carolina team advanced to the Final Four but lost 73–77 to Iowa, ending their 42-game winning streak.

February 2024: Joined WNBA Changemakers Collective as Mentor

In February 2024, Aliyah Boston joined the WNBA Changemakers Collective and their collaboration with VOICEINSPORT (VIS) as a mentor, aimed at keeping girls in sport and developing diverse leaders.

June 18, 2024: Eastern Conference Player of the Week

On June 18, 2024, Aliyah Boston was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week.

July 2, 2024: Named to WNBA All-Star Team

On July 2, 2024, Aliyah Boston was named to the Team WNBA All-Star team and received the second most fan votes of any player with 618,680 votes.

October 2024: TikTok Ad Campaign

In October 2024, Aliyah Boston appeared in a TikTok ad campaign for TOGETHXR and Aflac alongside Fever teammate, Lexie Hull.

October 31, 2024: Announced to play in Unrivaled League

On October 31, 2024, it was announced that Aliyah Boston would appear and play in the inaugural 2025 season of Unrivaled, the women's 3-on-3 basketball league.

2024: Secured First Overall Pick in WNBA draft lottery

In 2024, Aliyah Boston helped Indiana secure the first overall pick for the second straight year in the WNBA draft lottery, where they selected Caitlin Clark.

April 2025: Fever Exercised Fourth-Year Option

In April 2025, the Fever exercised their fourth-year option for Aliyah Boston, extending her contract into the 2026 season.

June 30, 2025: All-Star Starter

On June 30, 2025, Aliyah Boston was named as an All-Star starter for the third time in her career.

July 2025: Joined Ownership Group for Boston Legacy FC

In July 2025, Aliyah Boston joined the ownership group for the Boston Legacy FC.

2025: Played for the Vinyl in the Unrivaled League

In 2025, Aliyah Boston played for the Vinyl in the inaugural season of the Unrivaled women's 3-on-3 basketball league.

2025: Drafted by Phantom BC

On November 5th, 2025, it was announced that Aliyah Boston had been drafted by Phantom BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season.

2026: To Play for Phantom BC

In 2026, Aliyah Boston is scheduled to play for the Phantom BC in the Unrivaled league, after being drafted by them in 2025.

2026: Injury and Defensive Player of the Year

In 2026, Aliyah Boston suffered a right lower extremity injury in her final regular-season game in Unrivaled, preventing her from participating in Phantom's postseason games. Despite the injury, she was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year and to the 2026 All-Unrivaled Second Team.