South Carolina star Aliyah Boston announced Saturday that she will enter the 2023 WNBA draft and forego her final year of eligibility with the Gamecocks’ program.
“There is a quote that says – Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away,” Boston wrote in a note addressing her decision. “In this moment, I am truly breathless as I make the next best decision of my life. I have decided to further pursue my dream by declaring for the 2023 WNBA draft.”
Boston had an additional year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic bringing an end to the 2020 season prematurely. Rather than return for one more year at the collegiate level, the 2023 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year will leave behind a resume of dominance on the court at South Carolina, even with her last college game ending in a loss to Iowa in the women’s NCAA Final Four.
This past season, Boston was named first-team All-America for the AP, USBWA and The Athletic, a Naismith Trophy Finalist and finalists for the Wooden Award, Wade Trophy and Lisa Leslie Center Award. The 6’ 5” forward also earned her second consecutive SEC Player of the Year trophy and her fourth consecutive SEC Defensive Player of the Year award, while averaging 13.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.5 blocks per game.
God makes no mistakes❤️ this program has been so good to my family and I. Wouldn’t trade these past 4 years for anything. With love gamecock nation❤️ #forevertothee pic.twitter.com/tM2iY0lMet
— Aliyah A. Boston (@aa_boston) April 1, 2023
Boston, who helped lead the program to three Final Four appearances during her career, also helped South Carolina win its second national championship in 2022. Additionally, she earned multiple player of the year awards—Naismith, USBWA, Wooden, AP and Wade Trophy—during the ‘22 season.
“God makes no mistakes❤️ this program has been so good to my family and I. Wouldn’t trade these past 4 years for anything. With love gamecock nation❤️ #forevertothee,” Boston tweeted.
