Aliyah Boston Makes History as the First Overall Pick in the WNBA Draft

Indiana Fever made history last night as they selected Aliyah Boston with the first overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft. Boston, a 6-foot 5-inch forward from the University of South Carolina, is considered one of the top prospects in women’s college basketball.

Boston was a consensus All-American this season, averaging 14.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game. She helped lead South Carolina to the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

The selection of Boston marks the first time in WNBA history that a player from South Carolina has been drafted first overall. The Gamecocks have produced WNBA stars such as A’ja Wilson and Alaina Coates, but neither were selected with the top pick.

“I’m just so grateful and blessed for this opportunity,” Boston said after being drafted. “I can’t wait to get to work and help the Fever win a championship.”

Elsewhere in the draft, the Minnesota Lynx selected guard Jadeveon Cannady with the second overall pick. Cannady, a 5-foot 10-inch guard from Mississippi State, is known for her scoring ability and versatility on the perimeter.

The draft was not without controversy, however. WNBA team, the Dallas Wings, reportedly rejected an inquiry from NBA champion Kyrie Irving about joining the league as a “Juwanna Mann”, referencing the 2002 movie about a man who pretends to be a woman to play in the WNBA.

Despite the drama, the 2023 WNBA draft was a momentous occasion for the league and for Aliyah Boston, who is poised to make a significant impact in her rookie season.