by Aliyah Boston was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft on Monday night, going to the Indiana Fever.
It’s the first time the Fever have had the first pick in the draft, and they took the star from South Carolina. Boston, a three-time Associated Press All-American who was also the Player of the Year as a junior, will cement the spot for Indiana.
“It’s really special, I’m thankful to God for putting me in this position,” said Boston, 21, who is from the US Virgin Islands. “Everyone in Indiana saw something in me, I’m ready to get there and put to work”.
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Aliyah Boston poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet before the 2023 WNBA Draft at Spring Studios on April 10, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading or using this photograph, user is agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The Fever had the worst record in the league last season, going 5-31.
“Aliyah Boston will have an immediate impact on our franchise on and off the field,” said Fever general manager Lin Dunn. “We are excited to pair her with Kelsey. [Mitchell] and NaLyssa [Smith] while we recharge the Indiana Fever. We are very impressed with Aliyah’s publishing skills, as well as her natural leadership skills. This is a great day for our franchise!”
Boston, like many other players, has had to choose whether to return to college for a fifth season due to the extra year granted by the COVID-19 virus or turn professional. He decided to enter the draft, joining 111 other players in testifying.
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She was joined by three teammates from South Carolina, who were expected to be selected in the first two rounds of the draft. The Gamecocks were undefeated until losing to Iowa in the Final Four.
Minnesota selected Maryland’s Diamond Miller with the second pick and Dallas selected Villanova’s Maddy Siegrist with the third pick. Big East commissioner Val Ackerman, who was the first female president of the WNBA, sat down with Siegrist.
The Wings also drafted UConn guard Lou Lopez Senechal two picks later. He had transferred to UConn after a stellar career at Fairfield.
Aliyah Boston #4 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drives to the basket against the Maryland Terrapins during the fourth quarter of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 27, 2023 in Greenville, SC South. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“It feels surreal, I really didn’t think it would be here,” Senechal said. “I’ve come a long way, I’ve been through a lot of challenges.”
Iowa State’s Stephanie Soares was fourth to Washington. The Mystics promptly traded her to Dallas shortly after drafting the 6-foot-7 center. Washington regained a future first-round and second-round pick.
“It was a very interesting feeling,” Soares said. “Sheer excitement of going to Washington, but now going to Dallas. It’s going to be a great next step on the journey.”
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Soares tore her ACL in January and will miss the upcoming WNBA season.
Stanford guard Haley Jones was sixth and South Carolina’s Laeticia Amihere eighth to Atlanta. Grace Berger from Indiana was recruited among them by Fever.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Aliyah Boston pose for photos after Boston was selected first overall by the Indiana Fever during the 2023 WNBA Draft at Spring Studios on April 10, 2023 in the city of NY. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Seattle took Tennessee’s Jordan Horston ninth.
