Height: 6-5
Position: Forward/Center
Age: 21
Years Pro: 1
College: South Carolina
Drafted: By Indiana, first round, 2023 WNBA Draft (1st overall)
Overview: After becoming the first player in franchise history selected with the No. 1 overall draft pick, Aliyah Boston quickly solidified her place among the league’s best players in her first WNBA season. In 2023, Boston was named the Associated Press WNBA Rookie of the Year and earned AP All-Rookie Team recognition. The 6-foot-5 center became the eighth rookie in WNBA history and fourth player in franchise history to be named a WNBA All-Star Game starter. After being selected as the fifth overall pick in the All-Star Draft, Boston scored the first basket of the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game as a member of Team Wilson. She recorded six points on 3-of-6 shooting to go along with a team-high 11 rebounds. Boston won WNBA Rookie of the Month in May, June and August to become the eighth player in WNBA history to win at least three Rookie of the Month honors. Boston was named the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of June 12-18 after averaging 22.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, while shooting 69.2 percent from the floor and 13-of-14 from the free throw line. She ended the regular season as the first rookie in WNBA history to lead the league in field goal percentage, shooting 57.8 percent (233-of-403) from the floor through the first 40 games of her career. Boston finished second in WNBA history for most rebounds in a rookie season with 335 rebounds, while finishing third all-time for field goals made as a rookie. Boston also set franchise records for most blocks (50) in a rookie season. In addition, Boston also ended the season second in franchise history for points scored in a rookie season (578) and steals in a rookie season (53).
Notable Performances:
June 6: In an overtime game at Chicago, Boston scored a then career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds for her first career double-double. Boston shot 12-of-15 from the floor and became the first rookie to have at least 25 points on 80 percent shooting or better from the field, to go along with at least 10 rebounds and two blocks in a game.
June 13: In a home win against the Washington Mystics, Boston notched her third double-double of the season with 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting, to go along with a season-high 14 rebounds and six assists. She became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 20 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in a game while shooting better than 75 percent from the floor.
June 26: On the road at Las Vegas, Boston ended with 20 points, a season-high 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. It was the 13th game in WNBA history a player recorded a 20/14/3/2/2 game and was the second time ever by a rookie.
August 6: At the Atlanta Dream, Boston’s fifth double-double of the season led Indiana with 25 points while pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds. It was the second game of her career making 12 field goals and tied a season-high four steals.
September 1: At home against Dallas, Boston’s double-double included a career-high 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the floor and 11 rebounds with five assists. She joined Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson to record at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a game.