Aliyah Boston, the 2022 NCAA Champion and former South Carolina Gamecock, is one of the most dominant and complete players in women’s basketball today. Yet, despite her remarkable accomplishments and undeniable impact on the court, she continues to be underappreciated in the broader conversation about the game’s brightest stars. Her strength, scoring ability, leadership, and defensive prowess place her among the elite, but for reasons ranging from market size to media narrative, she often doesn’t receive the spotlight she has undeniably earned. When you consider what Boston has done at every level of the game and how she has carried herself on and off the court, it becomes increasingly clear that she deserves far more recognition than she currently receives.
From the moment she arrived at the University of South Carolina, Aliyah Boston was a difference-maker. Recruited by legendary head coach Dawn Staley, Boston quickly established herself as a foundational piece in a program on the rise to national dominance. Her impact was immediate—winning National Freshman of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, and making the SEC All-Defensive Team. She brought a level of poise and maturity to the college game that is rarely seen in first-year players. But her greatness wasn’t defined solely by stats; it was evident in the way she elevated those around her, anchored the team’s defense, and delivered in clutch moments.
Boston’s college career reached its peak in the 2021–2022 season, when she led the Gamecocks to the national championship and won nearly every major award, including the Naismith College Player of the Year, the Wooden Award, and the Lisa Leslie Award. She dominated on both ends of the floor, averaging a double-double while also being the defensive anchor that frustrated every opponent South Carolina faced. Her game was a perfect blend of power and finesse—capable of bullying defenders in the paint and hitting mid-range jumpers with confidence. On defense, her timing, footwork, and awareness made her a shot-blocking force and a rebounding machine. She led with composure and resilience, even under the weight of massive expectations.
Yet, for all of these accomplishments, Aliyah Boston has never quite received the same level of attention or commercial appeal as some of her peers. Part of this disparity may stem from playing for a team like South Carolina, which, while dominant in the basketball world, isn’t always at the center of national sports media narratives. Another factor could be her style of play—it’s fundamentally sound, physical, and disciplined, rather than flashy or highlight-driven. But true basketball fans know that greatness isn’t measured by viral clips; it’s about consistency, impact, and winning. By those standards, Boston is second to none.
When she made the transition to the WNBA as the first overall pick in the 2023 Draft by the Indiana Fever, there were high expectations—and she met them head-on. From day one, Boston was a leader and contributor on a young team looking to find its identity. She brought the same work ethic, discipline, and team-first mentality that had defined her college years. Her rookie season was filled with double-doubles, clutch performances, and strong defensive efforts against the league’s best post players. She earned WNBA Rookie of the Year honors and quickly became the face of a franchise in need of a new direction.
Even in a professional league stacked with incredible talent, Boston’s strengths stand out. Her physicality allows her to battle with and often dominate more experienced veterans. She doesn’t shy away from contact, embraces her role in the paint, and continues to evolve her offensive game. Her court vision and basketball IQ are exceptional for a player at her position and age. More importantly, she leads with humility and confidence—a rare and valuable combination. She’s the type of player any coach would love to build around because she brings stability, effort, and accountability every time she steps on the floor.
Leadership is perhaps Boston’s most underrated quality. Whether at South Carolina or now with the Fever, she has always led by example. She works tirelessly on her craft, supports her teammates, and carries herself with grace and professionalism. In today’s basketball world, where leadership is as much about communication and presence as it is about performance, Boston checks every box. Her impact isn’t limited to her own stat line—it ripples through her team. She sets a tone of competitiveness and camaraderie that brings out the best in everyone around her. That kind of influence can’t be taught, and it’s one of the many reasons why she should be regarded as one of the top players in the league.
Defensively, Boston is still unmatched in many respects. Her instincts allow her to alter shots without fouling, her footwork keeps her in front of quicker players, and her strength enables her to battle in the post with the most physical opponents. She reads offenses well and often anticipates plays before they happen, positioning herself perfectly for rebounds or rotations. Her presence in the paint deters drives and forces opponents to settle for lower-percentage shots. She doesn’t just play defense—she defines it for her team. In an era where offensive numbers often dominate headlines, Boston’s elite defense deserves far more recognition and respect.
On offense, she continues to refine her game. She’s an efficient scorer who takes high-percentage shots and makes smart decisions with the ball. Her post moves are technical and effective, and she’s developed a mid-range game that keeps defenders honest. She passes well out of double teams and understands how to move without the ball to create scoring opportunities. In short, she plays smart, efficient basketball—the kind of play that leads to wins but doesn’t always attract flashy headlines.
Off the court, Boston is a role model in every sense of the word. She has used her platform to speak about issues important to her, from racial justice to mental health awareness. She embraces her role as a public figure with grace, remaining authentic and grounded despite her growing fame. Her connection to fans, especially young girls who see themselves in her, is powerful. She represents what’s possible through hard work, dedication, and integrity. In an age where branding and personality are so central to sports marketing, Boston remains true to who she is—intensely competitive, deeply loyal, and proudly herself.
Aliyah Boston’s career is still in its early chapters, but the foundation she has built is already historic. She has won at the highest levels, earned every major award available to her, and proven that she can transition seamlessly from college to the pros. She is a generational talent whose game is built to last. And yet, despite all of this, she remains underrated in many circles—a reality that reflects broader trends in sports coverage more than it does any shortcoming of her own. Her quiet dominance doesn’t always make highlight reels, but it wins games, earns respect from peers, and inspires future generations.
The narrative around women’s basketball is shifting, and stars like Boston are leading the way. As media coverage grows and fans demand more equity in the way female athletes are celebrated and promoted, it’s essential that players like Boston receive the spotlight they have earned. She’s not just a good player—she’s one of the best. Her blend of strength, skill, intelligence, and leadership puts her in rare company. And as she continues to grow and refine her game, her ceiling only rises higher.
In time, the recognition will likely catch up with the reality of her greatness. Fans, analysts, and even casual observers will come to fully appreciate what Boston brings to the game. But for those paying close attention now, it’s already abundantly clear: Aliyah Boston is the real deal. She’s a champion, a leader, a force on both ends of the floor, and a beacon for what women’s basketball should celebrate. If greatness is measured not just by what a player achieves but by how they do it—through effort, humility, consistency, and excellence—then Aliyah Boston is already among the sport’s all-time greats. She may not always be the loudest voice in the room, but her game speaks volumes. And for those who know the game, that voice is impossible to ignore.
