“Keep applying the pressure!” Dawn Staley encouraged for a step further after Aliyah Boston wrapped up her year 2 in the WNBA. Looks like the energy that has helped carry the Indiana Fever star to where she stands today. A no.1 pick, 2023 ROTY, and a part of the franchise’s three-headed monster alongside Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, the forward has come to be a foundation for Fever. Adding to the quote there, Boston has a story to reveal, speaking of Staley’s way with her players.

On In Case You Missed It with Khristina Williams, Indiana Fever star and South Carolina alum Aliyah Boston had an interesting instance to share about her former coach. The six-five forward explained how captains are selected at South Carolina. “The way you do it is you go up there, you say why you want to be a captain, and then they put you through a ring of questions… I remember my freshman season. I didn’t go for captain because I’m like, I need to figure this out.” 

A’ja Wilson had just left the program then after making huge waves. The now-Las Vegas Aces star had led the team to its first title in 2017 and had her statue erected outside the main entrance to Colonial Life Arena in the eventual days. Those were huge shoes to fill. Moreover, she believed there were amazing captains to take on the role.

Dawn Staley, however, had faith in the star forward. In Aliyah Boston’s sophomore year, Staley passed on a message to the budding hooper. “Don’t be afraid to use your voice,” said the South Carolina coach. “You can be a leader on this team.” To hear that at a young age was so impactful and overwhelming for Boston, that she’d end up calling home.

“I remember I called my mom after my dad… I’m like, she’s talking about being a captain and not being afraid to use my voice. And I was like, oh my gosh. I was like, I don’t know. I’m just trying to figure stuff out,” she recalls.

Boston, however, did end up leading the Gamecocks to yet another successful campaign. After becoming the 11th fastest Gamecock to score 500 points in her career in her sophomore year, the Fever icon helped the team to a championship while being named National Player of the Year. A year later, Staley would say, “I don’t think everybody could be in Aliyah’s position and thrive like she’s been thriving.” 

The Gamecock has been making waves in the WNBA now and the head coach’s energy in pushing her hasn’t changed one bit.

Dawn Staley keeps up with the cheering

The 2023 ROTY had a rough start to her sophomore campaign in the WNBA but it wasn’t long before she was leading the team alongside Clark and Mitchell. In a game against the Minnesota Lynx in July, Boston posted a double-double just in the first half– 11 points and 10 rebounds. She would finish the game with a career-high 16 rebounds to go along with 17 points. Coach Dawn Staley seemed to be waiting for the moment.

“Easy like Sunday morning but it’s afternoon for (Aliyah Boston) double-double,” Staley had written on Twitter. “I see you WNBA All-Star!” After making her 2nd consecutive All-Star appearance, Boston finished the season averaging 14.0 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. She also broke the franchise record for rebounds with 355 and reached a 1000 career points in August. As the 23-year-old posted a year wrap on X with a few snaps from the season, Staley ensured she wasn’t resting just yet.

“Your @WNBA MVP awaits! Keep applying the pressure! It’s what we do!” she commented under the post. The South Carolina HC has produced MVP honor winning player in A’ja Wilson and admits to seeing a potential in Kamila Cardoso. Considering Boston’s growth and mindset Staley has installed, we might be up for some impressive run. “I know I’m made for the moment because Coach Staley has already helped me with that.” This statement by the young star really sums it all up.