Boston, USA Claim FIBA World Cup Gold
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball alumna Aliyah Boston helped the United States to its fifth-straight gold medal at the FIBA Women’s World Cup as the Americans topped France 97-79 on Sunday in Berlin. It is Boston’s sixth international gold medal and her second as part of the U.S. Senior National Team.
Over the tournament’s six games, Boston averaged 6.2 points on 46.9 percent shooting in her 17.2 minutes per game. Her most significant contributions came in the elimination rounds, netting her tournament-high eight points in the quarterfinals against Hungary and grabbing her tournament-high seven rebounds in the semifinals against Spain. In the gold medal game, Boston tied for the team lead in +/- at 16 as she added seven points on perfect field goal shooting.
The U.S. was tested in the tournament, edging out a three-point win against Italy during pool play and needing second-half rallies in its semifinal and championship games. Spain’s third-quarter surge send the semifinal game into the fourth quarter tied, but the Americans launched a 12-2 run to open the final period and secure a spot in the gold medal game. In that final game, France dominated most of the first half, leading 31-17 with 7:27 to play in the second quarter. Boston subbed in with 6:30 left before the half and helped the U.S. launch a comeback, adding three points and block to an effort that cut their deficit to 43-45 at the break. The Americans ran away with the third quarter, 30-12, shooting 63.2 percent (12-of-29) in the period while holding France to just 38.5 percent (5-of-13).
Boston’s international career includes seven total USA Basketball appearances across 5×5 and 3×3 competitions, and she has won gold at every tournament in which it was available. Her three Senior National Team appearances include winning gold at the 2021 FIBA AmeriCup and playing in the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium.
All 12 members of the U.S. team now return to their WNBA teams with 11 days remaining in the regular season. Boston, one of 13 Gamecocks on WNBA rosters this season, has helped lead the Indiana Fever, which also features former Gamecocks Raven Johnson and Bree Hall, to a playoff spot already with four games left to jockey for its final position. Six other Gamecocks are on teams that will play in the 2026 WNBA Playoff – Las Vegas Aces (A’ja Wilson, Ta’Niya Latson), Atlanta Dream (Allisha Gray, Te-Hina Paopao, Madina Okot) and Golden State Valkyries (Laeticia Amihere).
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 program.
