Allie Boston, a South Carolina gamecock phenom, talks about her longing for Dawn Staley and her dream of growing games for women and girls.
The South Carolina Gamecock women’s basketball team first appeared on the court 99 years ago in 1923, but the era of modern play began in 1974. All the while, 20 years after the SEC, Lady Gamecock has finally become an insurmountable force. Won the first two NCAA Championships within five years.
Formidable program credits go to all head coaches Dawn Staley He has been the head coach of Gamecocks for 14 years. Credits are also given to excellent players who commit to South Carolina in the hope of winning the championship. In 2022, those hopes came true and there was one major player who contributed to this year’s victory: Allie Boston.
Before March Madness took control of the country FanSided Ethan Lee Accurately predict why Gamecocks will win with Boston on their side.
“A wonderfully talented 6ft 5 junior Boston is South Carolina’s leading scorer. With 16.8 points per game, she’s definitely someone that other teams need to try and slow down.
However, Boston does more than just raise points. Boston leads Gamecock in Block (80), Steel (40) and Rebound (371), while she leads South Carolina in scoring. Oh, and it’s worth noting that she has 60 assists in the season. Boston is doing a little bit of everything, and not just those who can overlook any team. “
Then it may be surprising to know that Aliyah Boston once played as the only girl on the basketball team.
Aliyah is from St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and there are few basketball programs available to young girls. When Aria saw her sister Alexis accept the game, she did so, and Aria has been graceful in court since she was nine years old.
ESPN visited Aria at her home on St. Thomas and was able to get a glimpse of her life on the island. Her family and friends in her aliyah reveal that she has always been a star, but it’s hard for her talent like her aliyah to grow up in the game and stay at her home. Is also clear. As a teenager, Aliyah had to make difficult choices. If she wanted to shine in basketball, she had to move to the United States and play for a larger audience and larger infrastructure to hire her for her college hoop. Aria left home to live with her aunt in Massachusetts, and she eventually caught Dawn Staley’s eyes. The rest is NCAA history.
Minneapolis, Minneapolis – April 3: South Carolina Gamecock Ariya Boston # 4 wins UConn Huskies 64-49 at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship Game at Target Center on April 3, 2022. After defeating, react during the presentation of the National Championship Trophy. Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
“When the world listens to her and sees where she came from, they want to know that there are more Aliyah on the island,” said Aliyah’s mother, Cleone Boston.
Under Armor believed in Cleone’s message, and they believed in Aliyah. That’s why well-known sporting goods companies are helping Aria bring girls’ basketball to the island like never before.
This year, UA Partnership with Allie Boston When they start the first ever UANext Women’s Basketball Camp in St. Thomas, VI. According to the company, “this camp will make equipment, coaching and facilities available to high school athletes later this summer.”
Aria wouldn’t have become an up-and-coming basketball legend without making basketball shoes to imitate her. That’s why she’s the face of UA’s Breakthrough 3 Women’s Basketball Shoes, which debuts this fall. And this partnership is just the beginning. Aliyah is involved in the design of basketball wear for the next generation of girls in the game.
During the college finals and the changing world, Aliyah talked with FanSided about where she found her dream and inspiration to change the game for girls after St. Thomas.
FanSided: You proudly describe St. Thomas and the US Virgin Islands as “the most decorated high school athletes from the Virgin Islands.” Your talent and passion for games has brought overwhelming support from your family and community, but it has also come at a cost: you leave the island to play competitively in the United States. I had to. Looking back on my childhood, what does this UA camp mean for you and a young girl who wants to play in St. Thomas today?
Allie Boston: Being able to attend this camp with the help of UA means a lot. Young girls and boys who want to play in St. Thomas hope they know it will take a lot of effort, but all their goals can be achieved. They need to believe in God and know that God should guide their steps and continue to work.
FanSided: Dawn Staley is an icon of women’s basketball and you caught her eye when she recruited you to play in South Carolina. And like you, Dawn faced her challenges in playing the games she loved. There was no WNBA when she played at the top of the game in the 1990s. She won the Team USA Olympic gold medal in 1996 before Dawn got a chance to play in the league and be inducted into the Hall of Fame. What is the biggest lesson learned from her Dawn, both as her basketball coach and when looking at her own illustrious career?
Boston: As a basketball player and a black woman, I learned a lot from my coach Starry. Coach Starry has been very successful in her career on and off the court. As a player, she has achieved everything a great basketball player wants to do. She became mentally strong and taught me how to leave the courtroom. She taught me how to be confident and proud to be a black woman.
FanSided: After winning the NCAA Championship, I think many companies have contacted me for a partnership. How did Under Armor stand out? Why did he decide to partner with them?
Boston: It is a great honor to work in Under Armor. It’s a brand I’ve been wearing for years, so it makes a lot of sense! I love rocking all kinds of UA apparel and sneakers, both in cross-training and when on the court. I’m most excited to work with Under Armor to continue building and growing the women’s basketball community. We are really looking forward to having more young girls access to sports at the community level.
FanSided: It is well known that female basketball players are treated differently than male basketball players in terms of equipment, travel, expenses and media coverage. During the pandemic, WNBA players recorded their living conditions in the bubble, which was quite different from that of NBA players.
You and Under Armor will launch the first ever UA Next Women’s Basketball Camp in your hometown. This will give high school athletes access to equipment, coaching and facilities. This is huge! But please tell me. Why was it important for you to bring this camp home? In doing so, do you think you are playing your part in breaking this social cycle of treating women’s basketball differently than men’s basketball?
Boston: This is very important to me. Because I am really passionate about helping and inspiring the next generation to pursue their athletic dreams. It begins with helping young athletes in a poorly serviced community, such as coaching, courting, providing balls, teaching new drills, and introducing young girls to others with similar interests. That’s what we’re aiming for this summer at UA Next Camp in my hometown of St. Thomas.
FanSided: In the 50 years since Title IX, the women’s basketball program has grown exponentially to the NCAA March Mad Nest Tournament, undoubtedly dominated by Gamecock. Looking to the future, what do you think is essential to the growth of women’s basketball at the youth, college and professional levels?
Boston: Like men’s basketball, we want women’s basketball to be accepted, covered and valued. I want to help make that change by continuing to dominate the court and using my voice to encourage the next generation of play.
FanSided: This UA partnership means that we all know. You are becoming one of the biggest faces of basketball. And thankfully, more and more companies are bringing female basketball players to the forefront and centering to represent their brand. Who are some of the gaming women you are eager to emulate on the court and as an entrepreneur as you advance your career?
Boston: One of the women I respect is Serena Williams. She has been extremely successful as an entrepreneur, and while she is one of the best athletes in the world, she develops and runs multiple businesses.
FanSided: How do you think your trip to Under Armor will affect you personally and for the young girls and women who attend the camp?
Boston: I mainly work with Under Armor and want to encourage young female athletes to always trust and enjoy their instincts. Don’t forget to rely on their support system, surrounded by faith, family, friends, coaches, teammates and others who make them great. Personally, I would like to be recognized as a role model for young female athletes and be memorable. I want to make my heritage one of hope and change. When they hear my name, I want people to think that “Aliyah Boston has changed the basketball game.”
