The Indiana Fever made the most of their veryfirst No. 1 draft choice in franchise history, picking Aliyah Boston.
The South Carolina star had a outstanding college profession, leading the Gamecocks to a nationwide champion her junior year, losing just 9 videogames overall and assisting her group to 3 Final Four looks. The 6-foot-5 Boston was a three-time Associated Press All-American and likewise the Player of the Year as a junior.
“It’s actually unique, I’m glad to God for putting me in this position,” stated the 21-year-old Boston, from the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Everyone in Indiana, they saw something in me, I’m prepared to get there and get to work.”
The Fever had the worst record in the league last season, going 5-31.
“Aliyah Boston will have an instant effect on our franchise on and off the court,” Fever GM Lin Dunn stated. “We are ecstatic to set her with Kelsey (Mitchell) and NaLyssa (Smith) as we reload the Indiana Fever. We are really amazed with Aliyah’s post abilities as well as her natural management abilities. This is a terrific day for our franchise!”
Boston, like lotsof other gamers, have had to select whether to return to college for a 5th season duetothefactthat of the additional year given for the COVID-19 infection or turn pro. She chose to getin the WNBA draft, signingupwith 111 other gamers to state.
“Everyone that has a COVID year has a hard option,” Boston stated. “You might be someplace you understand the system. … It took a lot of idea.”
She was one of 3 South Carolina gamers taken in the veryfirst round. Laeticia Amihere went 8th to Atlanta and Zia Cooke 10th to Los Angeles. It’s the 10th time that 3 gamers from the exactsame group were prepared in the opening round, and the veryfirst consideringthat Oregon had 3 in 2020.
The Gamecocks likewise had 2 other gamers prepared, with Brea Beal going 24th to Minnesota and Victaria Saxton selected next by Indiana.
“It’s an remarkable experience truly, duetothefactthat this group of women haveactually been through life together,” Amihere stated. “These 4 years sanctuary’t been just about basketball. Being able to be with them on one of our greatest nights is an incredible experience.”
Minnesota took Diamond Miller of Maryland with the No. 2 choice, and Dallas prepared Maddy Siegrist of Villanova with the 3rd choice.
The Wings likewise prepared UConn guard Lou Lopez Senechal 2 chooses lateron. She had moved to UConn after a excellent profession at Fairfield.
“It feels surreal, truly didn’t think I’d be here,” Senechal stated. “I’ve come a long method, gone through a lot of obstacles.”
Stephanie Soares of Iowa State went 4th to Washington. The Mystics rapidly traded her to Dallas quickly after picking the 6-foot-7 . Washington got back a veryfirst round choice in 2025 and second-round choice in 2024.
“It was a really intriguing sensation,” Soares stated. “Pure enjoyment going to Washington, however now getting to go to Dallas. It’s going to be a excellent next action to the journey.”
Soares tore her ACL in January and will missouton the upcoming WNBA season.
Stanford guard Haley Jones went 6th to Atlanta. Indiana’s Grace Berger was prepared seventh by the Fever. She was the veryfirst Hoosiers gamer picked in the veryfirst round in school history.
Seattle took Tennessee’s Jordan Horston ninth. Dallas selected Maryland’s Abby Meyers with the 11th choice. Meyers began her profession at Princeton priorto completing with the Terrapins.
Minnesota closed out the veryfirst round taking French center Maïa Hirsch.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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