How presumptive No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston projects in the WNBA

The Indiana Fever has landed the top pick in the 2022 WNBA draft and there are high hopes for South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston to help turn the team’s fortunes around. Boston led the Gamecocks to their first national championship in 2022 and boasts of having played on teams that won 129 games out of 138 during her college career. WNBA legend Dawn Staley, Boston’s college coach, recently said the power forward is “exactly what the Fever needs”. She added that Boston, a projected franchise player in the WNBA, represents an “incredible example of what a professional should look like”.

Although Boston has the qualities and talent of a franchise player, projections show that she falls just below the group associated with WNBA stars. Nonetheless, her college coach believes Boston will elevate the team, while better spacing at the professional level may result in a higher usage rate for her which will work in her favour. A key concern is her shot-making ability, as while she excels at dominating the paint, this alone won’t turn her into a superstar. She will have to increase her offensive repertoire to diversify her contributions to the team.

The Fever’s biggest concern currently is the lack of victories ever since its iconic player Tamika Catchings retired in 2016. In the eight seasons that have followed, the team has never won more than 40% of its games. Both Jewel Loyd and Kelsey Plum have developed into All-WNBA selections and played key roles in championship teams; the Fever will be hoping Boston proves to be a similar find.

Despite Boston’s scoring taking a dip in her senior college season because of a drop in her share of the Gamecocks’ offense, exceptions have been known where a decrease in usage rate could work in favour of prospects transitioning to the WNBA. Boston in particular is likely to see her usage rate increase because of the better spacing she’ll enjoy in the professional league. Furthermore, her defense is likely to be a key factor in her development as a player, with Boston contributing to South Carolina’s defensive rating consistently over the four years she was on campus.

While Boston has the potential to dominate the paint and own the boards, diversification of her offensive skill set will undisputedly be the next step to elevating her status to superstar in the WNBA. This will involve improving her long-range accuracy while continuing to capitalise on her strength of contesting without fouling. The Fever will be counting on Boston to help them return to playoff contention and potentially replicate the success of the world-class Tamika Catchings, who led the team to their only championship in 2012.



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