Will Aliyah Boston win SEC Player of the Year again? Here’s a look at contenders
South Carolina is undefeated halfway through SEC play, and like it has for four years, it’s leaning on Aliyah Boston.
Boston leads the team in rebounds and blocks, and is second in scoring. She recently set the program record for career double-doubles by grabbing her 73rd against Arkansas.
Boston was named preseason SEC Player of the Year, an award she won last season. Should she win it again, she’d be the second consecutive back-to-back winner of the award, with former Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard winning it in 2020 and 2021.
She’d also become the third multi-time winner in program history. Tiffany Mitchell won SEC Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015, and A’ja Wilson won it from 2016-18.
There’s a legitimate field of competition in the rest of the conference in Boston’s efforts to repeat, LSU’s Angel Reese is among them. Others in the SEC are making their own unique cases as well.
Here are five of the strongest candidates for the 2023 SEC Player of the Year award so far.
THE FRONT RUNNERS
Aliyah Boston, F, South Carolina
Stats: 12.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 59.3 FG%
The case: Boston’s proven to be the best all-around player for the 20-0 Gamecocks.
Boston has recorded 13 double-doubles this year, including five in SEC play. The aftermath of her dominant junior season — which saw her win award after award — has resulted in defense bringing added attention to her down low. She’s remained efficient with her touches, as her 59% field goal percentage is the second highest among players with at least 160 attempts in the SEC.
Boston often does her damage early on in games. Only three of her double-doubles came in games that she played 30 minutes or more, and the 24.7 minutes per game she’s averaging is her fewest since her freshman season.
She’s also been disruptive on defense, often contesting shots down low and on the perimeter. Boston ranks third in the SEC in blocked shots.
Drawback: Though her abilities have not declined, her numbers have dipped from last season. Boston struggled in the first two games of conference play, scoring just 10 total points on 2-of-11 shooting. Still, her defensive abilities and elevated play against ranked teams keep her in contention as one of the top candidates for the award.
Angel Reese, F, LSU
Stats: 23.7 points, 15.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 56.3 FG%
The case: Reese has been on a tear since joining LSU.
Reese transferred in from Maryland after playing 47 games across two seasons. And through 20 games with the Tigers, she’s earned a double-double in each one.
Her rebounding ability has been on full display. She’s gathered 15 or more boards in all but six games so far and recorded a season-high 28 rebounds against Texas A&M. Even with the talented guards the Tigers have, the offense goes through her to the tune of 23.7 points per game — the best among SEC players and fifth-best in the nation.
Eight games into SEC play, one could argue that while Boston is still the nation’s best player, Reese is having the better season.
Drawback: LSU’s non-conference schedule lacked the rigor that South Carolina’s did, so the degree of difficulty may be taken into account for Reese’s numbers. With Boston as one of her chief opponents for the award, the caliber of teams could become a deciding factor.
To Reese’s credit, she’s continued her dominance in SEC play and has shined against other conference opponents that Boston’s also played. South Carolina and LSU face off on Feb. 12 in Columbia.
THE DARK HORSES
Jordan Horston, G, Tennessee
Stats: 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals
The case: Horston is in her fourth season with the Volunteers, and is their do-it-all player.
Horston leads the team in each of the five major statistical categories besides scoring, ranking second in that area. With the loss of center Tamari Key, she’s stepped up on both ends to help the Volunteers to an 8-0 SEC record.
Tennessee’s season got out to a tumultuous start, and the team currently sits just outside of the Top 25 in the Associated Press poll. But Horston’s provided strong playmaking and defense for the Volunteers. She’s up to five games this season with at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Drawback: Rickea Jackson is Tennessee’s leading scorer at 18 points per game, doing so on 56% shooting. Jackson and Horston are a dynamic one-two punch, and their production may cancel each other out in the decision making process for the award.
Jessika Carter, F, Mississippi State
Stats: 15.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 58.3 FG%
The case: The veteran Carter is back on the court for Mississippi State, and has returned to form. She missed all of last season due to “personal matters.”
The redshirt-senior is averaging career highs in points, assists and blocks and is the SEC’s fourth-best rebounder. Since the start of conference play, Carter scored 20 or more points four times. She’s one of the best interior defenders in the league also, averaging 2.3 blocks per game in conference play. Her 2.6 blocks per game overall leads all SEC players.
Carter was a freshman the last time Mississippi State won the SEC regular season, and now as a senior, she looks to help the team climb up the rankings.
Drawback: Carter and the Bulldogs hold a 15-5 overall record and 4-3 record in the SEC, keeping them at seventh place after tiebreakers. The last time a player won the award on a team that low in the standings is when Shameka Christon won it for eighth-place Arkansas in 2004.
Brittany Davis, G, Alabama
Stats: 17.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 44.8 FG%
The case: Davis is Alabama’s only player averaging double digits in scoring this season.
She’s scored at least 11 points in all but one of her games so far. The Crimson Tide has relied on that offense all season long, and her long range shooting is one reason why. She’s shooting 35.4% from 3-point range and is tied for fourth in the conference in made 3-pointers with 46.
Davis is the fourth-leading scorer in the SEC at 17.3 points per game.
She made the All-SEC second-team last season with numbers similar to the ones that she’s posting now. Davis’ play has Alabama at 15-5 with a 4-3 conference record, currently sixth in the SEC.
Drawback: Davis hasn’t turned in good shooting performances against two of the SEC’s top three teams, shooting just 33% from the floor in losses to Tennessee and LSU.
