Aliya Boston, the undisputed best player in women’s college basketball, was removed from the ESPN invitation list for the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night, and her coach didn’t have it.
South Carolina Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley Not shy to stand up for her playerCalled ESPN on Twitter on Sunday for not bringing the unanimous 2022 National Player of the Year to Los Angeles for its annual awards show.
“Really … like someone in the room @espn@ESPYS I decided it was a great idea not to invite @MarchMadnessWBB NPOY DPOY … Did no one see the uproar caused by this? Staley said in a tweet. “There is definitely something wrong with the composition of the room … the fight continues. [sic]….#WBBSTANDUP“”
Staley subsequently called on NCAA Women’s Basketball stakeholders to join.
Boston, a 6-foot-5 center, becomes “Best College Athletes, Women’s Sports” after a junior season of 12.5 rebounds, averaging 16.8 points per game, to lead South Carolina to the title of the second NCAA Women’s Basketball. I was nominated.
“We have the utmost respect for Ariya Boston, Dawn Staley and South Carolina Gamecock,” ESPN said in a statement. “Because of both the COVID restrictions and the new venue, which has far fewer seats than previous shows, the 2022 ESPY has prioritized the invitation of athletes to focus on specific awards distributed during the broadcast. .. “
This year’s ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles and has a capacity of 3,400 people. From 2008 to 2019, the show was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. It has a capacity of 7,100 people. Last year’s award show was moved from its usual West Coast location to the rooftop of Pier 17 in New York due to a coronavirus pandemic. The outdoor venue also has a capacity of 3,400 people, and it seems that ESPN’s response is unreliable.
Last year’s winner, UConn star Paige Bueckers, not only attended the award, but also Recognize that she is a white athlete in a sport dominated by black athletes..
“I think it’s time for change,” Boukers said at last year’s ESPY. “Sports media holds the key to storytelling. Sports media and sponsors tell us who is worth it, and you told the world that I’m important today, and vote. Everyone who has done is grateful to you, but I think we should use this power together to celebrate black women. “
The other three candidates in this year’s category are Oklahoma softball player Jocelyn Alo, who led the Snurs to the national championship for the second year in a row. The history of lacrosse.
In addition to being selected as the National Player of the Year, Boston has been awarded the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year for the third consecutive season and was selected as the 2022 Honda Cup University Female Athletes of the Year.
