Dawn Staley gives the latest on Aliyah Boston’s availability for UCLA game
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said that Aliyah Boston is a “game-time decision” for Tuesday’s home game against UCLA after sustaining a right foot injury.
Boston — the reigning National Player of the Year — was seen at USC’s practice on Monday without wearing a boot or brace on her foot, and Staley said Boston’s foot feels “a lot better” than it did Sunday. Staley added that Boston was not a full-time participant in practice.
Boston went down during Sunday’s win over Hampton after getting fouled on a layup attempt. She went to the locker room after being subbed out, and she returned to the sidelines during the third quarter with a boot on her right foot.
She walked around on her own strength after the game without crutches or assistance from anyone on the team.
Staley said the team doctor wasn’t “too concerned” upon the first evaluation of Boston’s injury and that Boston remained on the sideline as a precaution.
“I think, for the most part, it scared (Boston),” Staley said.
Boston has played in all 107 games in her career at USC. Fellow senior Laeticia Amihere replaced Boston in the Gamecocks’ lineup in the second half of Sunday’s game.
“We’re good,” Staley said when asked about the team’s depth. “Everybody’s ready to step up. We understand what she means to our program, what she’s been to our program. To lose her would be a big void, but we’ve got a lot of bigs that can fill in and contribute in other ways.
Next four USC WBB games
Tuesday: home vs. UCLA, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
Saturday: home vs. Memphis, 3 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
Dec. 11: home vs. Liberty, 2 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
Dec. 15: neutral vs. South Dakota State, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
This story was originally published November 28, 2022 at 3:12 PM.
