Aliyah Boston WNBA Mock Draft projection: Why South Carolina March Madness standout is a 2023 top pick

Sara Tidwell

Aliyah Boston WNBA Mock Draft projection: Why South Carolina March Madness standout is a 2023 top pick image

Aliyah Boston has one more year of college eligibility remaining, should she choose to continue playing for Dawn Staley at South Carolina.

But many are crossing their fingers that she enters her name in the 2023 WNBA Draft. She has yet to do so as she awaits the outcome of the NCAA Women's Tournament this weekend.

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Here's everything you need to know about where Boston ranks as a prospect ahead of the 2023 WNBA Draft:

What is Aliyah Boston's WNBA draft projection?

Boston is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick and has been for a few years. The No. 1 overall pick is owned by the Indiana Fever, who won the rights to it in the 2022 Draft Lottery in November.

MORE: Full list of men's, women's basketball teams to finish perfect seasons

Aliyah Boston scouting report

Strengths

  • Size (6-5, 180 pounds)
  • Versatility and skill on offense and defense
  • Athleticism, agility and ability to set the tone
  • Basketball IQ
  • Able to remain vertical in the paint, hardly fouls (3.2 percent foul rate as a senior)
  • Efficient and effective near the rim, but can hold her own on the perimeter with ease

Weaknesses

  • Three-point shooting
  • Stats are not the most dominant
  • Unreliable jump shots

Aliyah Boston stats

Season GP FG% 3PT% FT% PPG RPG APG BPG SPG
2019-20 33 0.608 0.167 0.738 12.5 9.4 1.0 2.6 1.3
2020-21 31 0.485 0.265 0.764 13.7 11.5 1.6 2.6 1.2
2021-22 37 0.542 0.292 0.771 16.8 12.5 2.0 2.4 1.2
2022-23 36 0.568 0.111 0.757 13.2 9.8 1.9 2.0 0.4
Career 135 0.548 0.244 0.760 14.1 10.8 1.6 2.4 1.0

Records

  • Most double-doubles in South Carolina women's basketball history

Honors

  • Naismith Defensive Player of the Year (2023)
  • Wooden Award winner (2022)
  • Naismith College Player of the Year (2022)
  • Associated Press National Player of the Year (2022)
  • Three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American (2021, 2022, 2023)
  • Three-time Associated Press and USBWA first-team All-American (2021, 2022, 2023)
  • Two-time WBCA first-team All-American (2021, 2022)
  • Two-time SEC Player of the Year (2022, 2023)
  • SEC Female Athlete of the Year (2022)
  • Three-time Lisa Leslie Award winner (center of the year) (2020, 2021, 2022)
  • Honda Cup Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year (2022)
  • Four-time first-team All-SEC (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
  • Four-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
  • Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2022)
  • SEC Tournament MVP (2021, 2023)
  • SEC Freshman of the Year (2020)
  • McDonald's All-American (2019)

When is the 2023 WNBA Draft?

  • Date: Friday, April 10
  • Time: 7 p.m. ET

The 2023 WNBA Draft will be broadcast live on ESPN on Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m. ET from Spring Studios New York in Manhattan. The WNBA season starts May 19, with training camp beginning April 30 and preseason play beginning May 5.

MORE: WNBA key dates for 2023 season

Sara Tidwell

Sara Tidwell Photo

Sara Tidwell is an editorial intern with The Sporting News. A native to Michigan's Thumb region, she received her Bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University. Previous bylines include the Detroit News, Cincinnati Enquirer, Hartford Courant and The State News.