Boston heads to Fever as No. 1 pick in WNBA draft

The Indiana Fever made the maximum of the primary No. 1 draft pick in franchise history, choosing Aliyah Boston.

The South Carolina big name had a stellar university profession, main the Gamecocks to a national championship her junior yr, dropping simplest nine games overall and helping her team to 3 Final Four appearances. The 6-foot-5 Boston changed into a three-time Associated Press All-American and also the Player of the Year as a junior.

“It’s simply special, I’m grateful to God for placing me on this position,” stated the 21-12 months-vintage Boston, from the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Everyone in Indiana, they saw some thing in me, I’m prepared to get there and get to work.”

The Fever had the worst file within the league ultimate season, going five-31.

“Aliyah Boston will have an immediate impact on our franchise on and off the courtroom,” Fever GM Lin Dunn stated. ’We are excited to pair her with Kelsey (Mitchell) and NaLyssa (Smith) as we reload the Indiana Fever. We are very inspired with Aliyah’s publish abilities in addition to her herbal leadership abilties. This a a fantastic day for our franchise!”Boston, like many different gamers, have needed to choose whether or not to return to college for a 5th season because of the greater yr granted for the COVID-19 virus or flip pro. She determined to enter the WNBA draft, joining 111 other players to claim.“Everyone that has a COVID 12 months has a difficult desire,” Boston stated. “You might be someplace you understand the system. … It took plenty of notion.”

She become considered one of three South Carolina gamers taken in the first round. Laeticia Amihere went eighth to Atlanta and Zia Cooke tenth to Los Angeles. It’s the 10th time that 3 players from the identical crew were drafted in the commencing spherical, and the first seeing that Oregon had 3 in 2020.

The Gamecocks also had other players drafted, with Brea Beal going 24th to Minnesota and Victaria Saxton picked subsequent with the aid of Indiana.

“It’s notable revel in simply, because this institution of women were through lifestyles collectively,” Amihere stated. “These four years haven’t been best approximately basketball. Being capable of be with them on one among our largest nights is an first-rate revel in.”

Minnesota took Diamond Miller of Maryland with the No. 2 pick out, and Dallas drafted Maddy Siegrist of Villanova with the third choose. Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman, who became the WNBA’s first president, sat with Siegrist.The Wings additionally drafted UConn shield Lou Lopez Senechal selections later. She had transferred to UConn after a stellar profession at Fairfield.

“It feels surreal, honestly didn’t assume I’d be right here,” Senechal stated. “I’ve come a long way, long past through loads of challenges.”

Stephanie Soares of Iowa State went fourth to Washington. The Mystics quick traded her to Dallas soon after selecting the 6-foot-7 center. Washington were given lower back a primary round select in 2025 and second-spherical select in 2024.

“It become a completely interesting feeling,” Soares said. “Pure exhilaration going to Washington, however now attending to go to Dallas. It’s going to be a outstanding next step to the adventure.”

Soares tore her ACL in January and could miss the upcoming WNBA season.