Aliyah Boston selected first overall by Indiana Fever in 2023 WNBA Draft

[ad_1]

Aliyah Boston was the No. 1 choose within the WNBA Draft on Monday evening, going to the Indiana Fever.

It is the primary time that the Fever have had the best choice within the draft, and so they selected the South Carolina star. Boston, a three-time Related Press All-American who additionally was the Participant of the 12 months as a junior, will solidify the submit for Indiana.

“It’s actually particular, I’m grateful to God for placing me on this place,” mentioned the 21-year-old Boston, who’s from the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Everybody in Indiana, they noticed one thing in me, I’m able to get there and get to work.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Aliyah Boston poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet prior to 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 and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Aliyah Boston poses for a photograph on the Orange Carpet previous to the 2023 WNBA Draft at Spring Studios on April 10, 2023 in New York Metropolis. NOTE TO USER: Consumer expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or utilizing this {photograph}, Consumer is consenting to the phrases and situations of the Getty Photographs License Settlement. (Sarah Stier/Getty Photographs)

The Fever had the worst file within the league final season, going 5-31.

“Aliyah Boston may have a right away affect on our franchise on and off the courtroom,” Fever GM Lin Dunn mentioned. “We’re excited to pair her with Kelsey [Mitchell] and NaLyssa [Smith] as we reload the Indiana Fever. We’re very impressed with Aliyah’s submit abilities in addition to her pure management abilities. This an awesome day for our franchise!”

Boston, like many different gamers, have had to decide on whether or not to return to school for a fifth season due to the additional yr granted for the COVID-19 virus or flip professional. She determined to enter the draft, becoming a member of 111 different gamers to declare.

ALIYAH BOSTON FORGOES 5TH YEAR AT SOUTH CAROLINA, DECLARES FOR WNBA DRAFT

She was joined by three South Carolina teammates, who have been anticipated to be taken within the first two rounds of the draft. The Gamecocks have been unbeaten till dropping to Iowa within the Remaining 4.

Minnesota took Diamond Miller of Maryland with the No. 2 choose, and Dallas drafted Maddy Siegrist of Villanova with the third choose. Large East Commissioner Val Ackerman, who was the WNBA’s first president, sat with Siegrist.

The Wings additionally drafted UConn guard Lou Lopez Senechal two picks later. She had transferred to UConn after a stellar profession at Fairfield.

Aliyah Boston #4 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drives to the basket against the Maryland Terrapins during the fourth quarter in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 27, 2023 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Aliyah Boston #4 of the South Carolina Gamecocks drives to the basket towards the Maryland Terrapins through the fourth quarter within the Elite Eight spherical of the NCAA Ladies’s Basketball Match at Bon Secours Wellness Enviornment on March 27, 2023 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photographs)

“It feels surreal, actually didn’t suppose I’d be right here,” Senechal mentioned. “I’ve come a great distance, gone by way of a whole lot of challenges.”

Stephanie Soares of Iowa State went fourth to Washington. The Mystics shortly traded her to Dallas quickly after choosing the 6-foot-7 middle. Washington bought again a future first- and second-round choose.

“It was a really attention-grabbing feeling,” Soares mentioned. “Pure pleasure going to Washington, however now attending to go to Dallas. It’ll be an awesome subsequent step to the journey.”

WNBA TEAM SHOOTS DOWN NBA CHAMP’S DRAFT REQUEST AFTER ASKING TO BECOME LEAGUE’S FIRST ‘JUWANNA MANN’

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

Stanford guard Haley Jones went sixth and South Carolina’s Laeticia Amihere eighth to Atlanta. Indiana’s Grace Berger was drafted in between them by the Fever.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Aliyah Boston pose for photos after Boston was drafted 1st overall by the Indiana Fever during the 2023 WNBA Draft at Spring Studios on April 10, 2023 in New York City.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Aliyah Boston pose for photographs after Boston was drafted 1st general by the Indiana Fever through the 2023 WNBA Draft at Spring Studios on April 10, 2023 in New York Metropolis. (Sarah Stier/Getty Photographs)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Seattle took Tennessee’s Jordan Horston ninth.

[ad_2]

Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *