Freshman Boston off to fast start for No. 5 Gamecocks
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Aliyah Boston doesn’t have a secret to her shot-blocking success.
The South Carolina freshman’s explanation: “I don’t think they see me coming.”
Possibly, though it’s hard to miss the 6-foot-5 Boston, not the way the latest in the line of talented South Carolina “big girls” is playing to start her college career. She leads the nation in blocked shots with 24, is the leading scorer and rebounder for the fifth-ranked Gamecocks (6-0) and recorded a triple-double in her college debut.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley didn’t really want to go there, but said there’s no other way to say it; the 17-yearold Boston is ahead of former Gamecocks All-Americans Alaina Coates and A’ja Wilson.
“They’re probably going to shoot me texts after I say this, but she’s ahead of them,” Staley said, saying communication is the biggest reason. “A’ja and Alaina had older players that they took a backseat to. Aliyah’s just being a leader and she’s just calling what she sees.”
Boston will get to find out this week how she and the Gamecocks stack up against some of the best women’s teams in the country.
South Carolina is part of a talent-laden field in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, which is being played in Boston’s home in
St. Thomas. Boston’s been living in the Massachusetts since she was 12, developing her basketball skills away from her family and friends and everything.
“For me, at first, I was fine,” Boston said. “I just thought it was cool, but I know it was hard for my parents.”
Boston’s mother, Cleone, made sure her family in St. Thomas was always a presence in Aliyah’s life. Cleone would call and video chat with her daughter. The conversations would include daily devotionals and updates on what was happening in her daughter’s life and with her promising basketball career.
Aliyah Boston played at the Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, living with an aunt while attending school. USA Basketball took notice of her skills and Boston won gold medals competing on the American Under 16, Under 17 and Under 19 teams.