Aliyah Boston Day celebrates US Virgin Islands’ ‘true champion’
Listening to a reading of Aliyah Boston’s accomplishments will take a few moments.
Just from the 2021-22 season alone, the South Carolina Gamecocks forward was named Unanimous National Player of the Year; Naismith Defensive Player of the Year; SEC Player of the Year; SEC Defensive Player of the Year; and NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player.
“I did all that?” Boston remarked Saturday during a ceremony that was part of Aliyah Boston Day in St. Thomas.
“It is amazing when you listen to your resume read off and how much you’ve accomplished,” U.S Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. told the crowd during his speech. “I whispered in her ear, ‘You must be tired.’ ”
Bryan called Boston a “true champion.” She was born in St. Thomas. She returned home and was in the spotlight for Saturday’s festivities that included a sign unveiling at King Airport and a homecoming parade.
The new airport sign features a photo of Boston holding the NCAA national championship trophy and reads: “Thank you for visiting St. Thomas, USVI. Home Of The 2022 Women’s NCAA Basketball National Champion & Player Of The Year Aliyah Boston.”
Boston averaged 16.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, and had a team-high 90 blocks and a team-best 77% free throw percentage in South Carolina’s championship season.
“After this basketball season I can call myself a national champion,” she said in her remarks to the crowd Saturday. “I felt the support from the entire Virgin Islands this season, especially when I was in the running for national player of year and when we were on the edge of bringing home the national trophy.”
Boston praised her parents, Cleone and Al, for their support for her and sister Alexis as they pursued their basketball dreams. Family and supporters were in full Gamecock gear during Saturday’s ceremony. Boston at age 12 moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, to live with her aunt.
She encouraged Virgin Islands leaders to continue to make investments that support local children’s interest in the game. Boston also thanked Under Armour for sponsoring the local camps she is leading this week for young girls basketball players from the Virgin Islands.
Boston will be a senior with the Gamecocks in the 2022-23 season. She’s one of four from the national championship starting lineup (joined by Victaria Saxton, Zia Cooke and Brea Beal) who’ll be back at USC this season.
She thanked head coach Dawn Staley, the USC assistant coaches and her teammates Saturday during her remarks at Aliyah Boston Day, calling her choice to join the Gamecocks “the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“I cannot wait to play another year with the best squad,” she said.
This story was originally published June 5, 2022 at 11:41 AM.
