No doubt, Aliyah Boston loves being on the floor, but what she loves even more is her money. Well, we are not making assumptions – the Fever player has admitted it herself. “You know, I love my money”, she joked. It was after she got into foul trouble during the season opener versus the Chicago Sky when she was separating Clark and Reese. Now, twelve games in and Boston has once again nearly escaped from falling into the same, but this time it’s not the money she’s talking about! Instead, something even closer to her heart.
It all came up after a recent game versus Golden State Valkyries at the Chase Center, wherein Fever entered the arena to face the opponents for the first time in franchise history. Early on, the Fever built a solid 13-point lead, but as the game wore on, things started slipping away. Despite their strong start, Indiana couldn’t hold on, ultimately falling to the Valkyries in an 88–77 loss. But the biggest shock of the night was CC going 0-for-7 from beyond the arc and just 3-for-14 from the field. All thanks to Golden State’s relentless defense, which made life tough for Clark and the rest of the Fever squad, suffocating their offense from start to finish. Especially Boston, who battled questionable calls throughout the 30 minutes of gameplay.
So, many would expect Boston to speak out about the foul trouble and her five fouls that even forced her to sit out a sizeable chunk of the fourth quarter. But instead of dwelling on the frustrations of the night, Boston chose to flip the narrative, going for one rooted in love, not rivalry.
Despite the on-court challenges, Boston found a way to reconnect with two familiar faces on the opposing team, Laeticia Amihere and Bree Hall. As the former South Carolina teammates shared a heartfelt moment after the game, they ended up snapping a photo together that quickly made the rounds on social media. Then, W posted it on Instagram with a sweet caption, “Once a Gamecock, always a Gamecock Laeticia Amihere, Aliyah Boston, and Bree Hall keeping that @gamecockwbb bond strong!”
Syndication: The Indianapolis Star Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston 7 poses for a photo Wednesday, May 1, 2024, during the Indiana Fever media day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Indianapolis , EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGracexHollars/IndyStarx USATSI_23168379
So, how could Boston not share? She uploaded it on her Instagram story while adding her own unique touch. “Sisters.” she penned. And that’s exactly what they are. Not just because they wore the same jersey, but because they all had the honor of playing under the legendary Dawn Staley, someone who taught them more than just basketball.
And while Boston left South Carolina behind when she was drafted No. 1 overall by the Fever in 2023, the bond with her Gamecock teammates never faded. So when the trio finally got their moment together, they held onto it. That reunion became possible thanks to Bree Hall – picked 20th overall by Indiana in this year’s April draft – who, after being waived, found a new home with the Valkyries.
But for Amihere, her journey was a bit more complex as she signed with Golden State back in February but was waived just before the regular season, despite turning heads in training camp. Then, on June 8th, she finally made her return to the Valkyries’ roster on a rest-of-the-season contract.
So as the two landed up at Valkyries, the moment to share court with Boston happened. But this wasn’t just about who plays where in the WNBA. It was about the deep-rooted connection the trio shared, one built on years of sweat, sacrifice, and unforgettable memories. After all, the trio played together during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons at South Carolina, winning the 2022 national championship as a unit.
In fact, one of their most emotional moments came right after that title win. It was when Boston surprised everyone by handing over her All-Tournament Team trophy to Amihere. “I think you played really well this entire tournament, and honestly, we probably wouldn’t be here without you,” Boston told her back then. “I do think you deserve to be an All-Star, and so I’m just gonna give you mine because it’s well deserved.”
What else do you expect? A stunned Amihere accepted the glass trophy as her teammates erupted in celebration – one of many reminders that the sisterhood built under Staley’s guidance runs deep. So if you’re surprised by Boston’s postgame connection with her former teammates, maybe you shouldn’t be. Because if you know anything about Dawn Staley, South Carolina basketball, and the kind of culture she’s built, then you already understand…
Once a Gamecock, always a Gamecock.
Well, no one proves this saying as much as Aliyah Boston and her former coach, Dawn Staley, do. Remember when Staley poked fun at Boston’s reaction to learning she’d received a technical foul during a heated altercation involving Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese? It’s when Boston joked, asking Clark to cover the fine, and Staley quipped, “She tight with her money. Like, she wants somebody to pay her fine.” Well, it was a classic Boston-Staley anecdote, and you could tell just how well the former head coach understands the star.
That’s because Staley wasn’t just a head coach to Boston; she was a mentor, a role model, and, as Boston once put it, “like a second mom.” It all started when Boston played her very first game for the Gamecocks. In a stunning debut, she recorded a triple-double with 10 blocks, instantly earning a spot in the good books of many fans and analysts.
And why not? She became the first freshman in franchise history, and the first player in Division I history, to post such a stat line in a debut game. From that moment, trust between her and Coach Staley began to grow. But what made their bond even more special was how Staley empowered Boston to lead, not just on the stat sheet, but in the locker room too. “Don’t be afraid to use your voice… I know you have the confidence,” Staley once told her. And after that, there was no looking back.
Boston and Co. then went on a remarkable run that saw them racking up national awards, and even winning a national championship until the star was drafted as No.1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever at W. But, even then, she never let go of the bond she had with the team. Even today, as she continues her journey in the WNBA, Boston still embraces everything that made her time at South Carolina so meaningful. And it’s not a one-sided relationship; both her former teammates and Coach Staley continue to show their love and support for her, proving that some connections truly last beyond college.
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