Aliyah Boston for national Player of the Year? The case for Gamecocks star is strong
South Carolina women’s basketball star forward Aliyah Boston is nearing an SEC record double-double streak, leads the nation’s top-ranked team in scoring and rebounding, and has played a key role in the Gamecocks’ 10 wins over ranked opponents.
Boston is the No. 1 player in the country in two advanced metrics, according to HerHoopStats — “player efficiency rating,” which estimates a player’s per-minute value from box scores; and “win shares,” which approximates the total number of wins a player produces for their team through both offensive and defensive play.
The case for Boston winning the 2022 Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year is growing. South Carolina this week launched an effort to promote the Gamecocks’ star for the honor.
What are Aliyah Boston’s stats?
Boston leads No. 1 South Carolina in scoring, rebounding and blocks per game. She averages 17.1 points (fifth in the SEC), 11.9 rebounds (second in the SEC) and 2.9 blocks (second in the SEC). Her 54.7% field goal percentage is the conference’s best.
Boston is shooting 3-point shots at a career-best clip — 11 of 36 from behind the arc — and is on track to eclipse her career highs in assists, blocks and steals in her junior season.
Simply put, Boston is playing the best basketball of her career — and she’s also on a charge to claim an SEC record in consecutive double-doubles. (She’s already eclipsed the Gamecocks’ record.)
Boston has tallied 17 straight double-doubles in a streak dating back to a game against Elon on Nov. 29. If she records double-doubles in the Gamecocks’ next two games against Auburn on Thursday and Tennessee on Sunday, Boston will tie Sylvia Fowles’ SEC record 19 consecutive double-doubles from her time at LSU.
Who is in the running for the 2022 Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year?
The field for this year’s 2022 Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year was narrowed to 30 when the midseason team was announced on Feb. 8.
Boston, who was one of four finalists in last year’s Player of the Year race, is considered a front-runner for this year’s honor, but Iowa sophomore Caitlin Clark has also emerged as one of the top candidates.
Clark leads the country with 27.2 points per game, including eight games with at least 30 points and five triple-doubles this year. She became the first college basketball player to drop consecutive 30-point triple-doubles this season and has garnered national attention while leading the Hawkeyes.
Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith and Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard were also included on the midseason watch list. Smith and Howard joined Boston and Clark as AP preseason All-Americans and have continued to garner attention for the postseason.
Michigan’s Naz Hillmon, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, as well as Kansas State’s Ayoka Lee, who dropped an NCAA women’s basketball record 61 points against Oklahoma this season, are also in the running for the trophy.
Boston was joined on the watch list by fellow Gamecock Destanni Henderson. Five other SEC players were also included with the Gamecocks’ stars on the midseason team — Jenna Staiti (Georgia), Jordan Horston (Tennessee), Khayla Pointer (LSU), Howard (Kentucky) and Shakira Austin (Ole Miss).
What has Dawn Staley said about Aliyah Boston?
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley hasn’t shied away from advocating for Boston in press conferences throughout the season. Staley made a strong push last week after the midseason team announcement.
“I think when we look at what Aliyah has done over an entire basketball season, there is no doubt,” Staley said in a press conference on Feb. 9. “There wouldn’t even be a question mark if it was somebody else.
“We’re the number one team in the country. Hopefully, we will stay that way for Aliyah’s sake, because it seems like any little crack and anything can be used against her. Aliyah Boston, by far, if she continues what she’s done (and) what she’d been doing, is women’s basketball’s national Player of the Year.”
During Iowa’s ESPN2 game against Maryland on Feb. 14, Staley tweeted about her displeasure with the broadcast’s lack of promotion for Boston.
“Why don’t commentators talk about (Boston) on other national televised games like they talk about other NPOY candidates on (South Carolina’s) national televised games. And halftime too!” Staley wrote.
Staley later said she planned on pushing harder for Boston’s name to be included in the national conversation more consistently.
“It’s a shame I have to do this but I’m going to create a narrative for (Boston) because I’m not letting this go down. I need to focus on coaching my team but if the decision makers of our game (choose) a narrative that unfavorable to mine who’s done it ALL season I’m all in!” Staley tweeted.
How is South Carolina promoting Aliyah Boston?
South Carolina women’s basketball has dedicated a web page to Boston’s campaign for National Player of the Year.
The site includes a quote from Staley, videos highlighting Boston’s offense, defense and leadership skills, a link to Boston’s full NCAA statistics page, shoutouts from Twitter and a list of the awards Boston has won since starting her USC career in 2020.
The page also includes commentary from ESPN analysts Rebecca Lobo and Carolyn Peck before South Carolina’s game against Ole Miss on Jan. 27.
Lobo poured out praise in the video published to South Carolina’s website.
“She absolutely is the favorite for National Player of the Year,” she said. “She has been having a monster junior season so far. ... An absolute monster on the offensive glass, a defensive presence, three blocks per game. She’s getting it done assisting to her teammates, has range extending out to (3-point range). Aliyah Boston has absolutely got it all for the center position for the Gamecocks.”
When is National Player of the Year announced?
The winner of this year’s Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year is set to be announced April 2, the day between the NCAA Women’s Final Four and national championship game.
Ten national semifinalists will be announced March 8, and the field will narrow to the four finalists on March 25.
This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 12:21 PM.
