Boston Named a Semifinalist for Naismith Trophy
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball sophomore forward Aliyah Boston is among 11 semifinalists for the 2021 Women’s Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. One of two SEC players on the list, Boston has advanced to semifinal status for the second time in as many seasons.
The SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and an All-SEC First-Team selection, Boston is on every current national player of the year watch list heading into the postseason and is still in contention for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and the Lisa Leslie Award as well. She has been particularly dominant in SEC games, especially on the glass with double-digit rebounds in 15 of 16 league games this season. Her 12.3 rebounds per SEC game is a new South Carolina record as is her 62 offensive rebounds in league action. Her 25 career double-doubles include 16 in SEC action, including nine this season alone, which is one shy of the school record. Boston’s 3.6 blocked shots per SEC game this season are also a program record, and her 93 career blocks in SEC games is already second in school history. On the season, Boston’s ranks 12th in the nation in blocks per game (2.9), 13th in rebounds per game (11.7) and 19th in offensive rebounds per game (3.9). She averages a double-double overall (13.0 ppg/11.7 rpg), against SEC opponents (13.3 ppg/12.3 rpg) and in the Gamecocks’ 11 games against ranked opponents (13.5 ppg/12.1 rpg).
The competition for the 2021 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year will be narrowed down to four finalists on March 19. The winner will be announced on April 3.
The No. 7 Gamecocks (19-4, 14-2 SEC) earned the second seed in this week’s SEC Tournament in Greenville, S.C. South Carolina will take on the winner of the game between No. 10-seed Missouri and seventh-seeded Alabama on Fri., March 6, at 6 p.m. on SEC Network.
Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on the women’s basketball season.
2021 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Semifinalists
The SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and an All-SEC First-Team selection, Boston is on every current national player of the year watch list heading into the postseason and is still in contention for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and the Lisa Leslie Award as well. She has been particularly dominant in SEC games, especially on the glass with double-digit rebounds in 15 of 16 league games this season. Her 12.3 rebounds per SEC game is a new South Carolina record as is her 62 offensive rebounds in league action. Her 25 career double-doubles include 16 in SEC action, including nine this season alone, which is one shy of the school record. Boston’s 3.6 blocked shots per SEC game this season are also a program record, and her 93 career blocks in SEC games is already second in school history. On the season, Boston’s ranks 12th in the nation in blocks per game (2.9), 13th in rebounds per game (11.7) and 19th in offensive rebounds per game (3.9). She averages a double-double overall (13.0 ppg/11.7 rpg), against SEC opponents (13.3 ppg/12.3 rpg) and in the Gamecocks’ 11 games against ranked opponents (13.5 ppg/12.1 rpg).
The competition for the 2021 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy for Women’s Player of the Year will be narrowed down to four finalists on March 19. The winner will be announced on April 3.
The No. 7 Gamecocks (19-4, 14-2 SEC) earned the second seed in this week’s SEC Tournament in Greenville, S.C. South Carolina will take on the winner of the game between No. 10-seed Missouri and seventh-seeded Alabama on Fri., March 6, at 6 p.m. on SEC Network.
Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on the women’s basketball season.
2021 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Semifinalists
Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
Paige Bueckers, Connecticut
Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Charli Collier, Texas
Elissa Cunane, NC State
Dana Evans, Louisville
Naz Hillmon, Michigan
Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
Aari McDonald, Arizona
Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA
NaLyssa Smith, Baylor
