Boston Named Naismith Player of the Year Semifinalist
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball senior Aliyah Boston is among the 10 semifinalists for the 2023 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year award, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today. She won the award in 2022, becoming the second Gamecock to claim the title.
Boston is the only player in the country who ranks among the top 10 in both player offensive (4th) and defensive (6th) rating, according to Her Hoop Stats. The two-time SEC Player of the Year and four-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year is sixth is playing just 25.9 minutes per game thanks to the Gamecocks’ overall depth but still ranks sixth in the nation with 20 double-doubles. Her 2.0 blocks per game are 25th in the country and fourth in the SEC while her 9.7 rebounds per game are 30th in the nation and second-best in the league. Shooting 56.8 percent from the field for the season, she is 24th in the nation and second in the SEC in that category as well. In six games against ranked opponents, Boston’s averages skyrocket to a team-best 16.8 points and 11.7 rebounds on 57.8 percent shooting to go with 2.0 blocks per game and 2.3 assists per game, which are tied for second on the team.
The award’s four finalists will be announced on Tue., March 21. The Fan Vote to help narrow the list down to the final honoree will open on Tue., March 21, and close on Tue., March 28. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall final vote. The 2023 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s Player of the Year will be awarded on Wed., March 29, during the Women’s Final Four.
No. 1/1 South Carolina awaits is NCAA Tournament schedule, which will be announced on Sun., Mar. 12, at 8 p.m. on ESPN. The Gamecocks are hosting a Selection Show Watch Party at Colonial Life Arena with doors and food trucks opening at 6 p.m.
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.
2023 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year Semifinalists
Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
Cameron Brink, Stanford
Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Aaliyah Edwards, UConn
Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana
Ashley Joens, Iowa State
Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech
Alissa Pili, Utah
Angel Reese, LSU
Maddi Siegrist, Villanova
