Every year, the WNBA adds some really great treasures to its pot. And while this year’s draft class is popularly being called the “GOAT” class, last year was no different either. Specifically talking about the 2023 WNBA draft’s first overall pick Aliyah Boston. She was shining on the floor tonight with 17 points for Fever’s win on the road. But off of it as well, she knows her responsibilities, especially the one that comes with a hectic schedule and a 1-5 run. And looks like she gave the head coach Christie Sides the much-needed reassurance tonight.

The head coach and Boston had a conversation before the win over Sparks that kept Sides positive about the process. Talking about that in her post-game conference, Sides praised the reigning Rookie of the Year. The 47-year-old coach said, “She almost brought a tear to my eye. I think because when she walked up, I didn’t know what she was about to say. She just walked up and grabbed me. It was exactly what I needed in that moment. She just said, ‘Coach, take a breath, just relax.'”

Adding more praises about her players, Sides mentioned, “These players, you know, we give them everything that we have. And when she recognized that. Just a pat on the back, it just means so much. These guys are fighting. They’re fighting for each other. They’re fighting for us. We’ve got a tough road. We’ve got a lot more to learn. But this one feels good. Just the way they fought in that second half, especially defensively, just proud of their effort.”

But tonight was not the first time that Aliyah Boston stood up for her team. In fact, she has been giving that veteran energy to Caitlin Clark ever since the Fever took her under their umbrella.

Aliyah Boston as the emotional pillar of the Fever

The one-year-old veteran has been making headlines ever since her first practice session with Caitlin Clark. And while the two have been a good duo on the court, their off-court chemistry wins hearts. There is no doubt that the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft has been going through a rough patch and has been under a lot of pressure. And amidst the very quick transition that all the rookies this year had to break through, Clark’s popularity is not exactly forgiving.

Talking about how Aliyah Boston’s leadership has been a boat to carry her through the storm, she shared her feelings for the vet. She told Nick Hamilton of ‘SiriusXM’, “I think the biggest thing about Aliyah, like coming in here, I think her leadership has been amazing. She’s been one of the biggest voices in our locker room. She’s been somebody that’s been there to pick me up. I’ve been there to pick her up, and you know, we’re navigating this together.”

We have also seen Boston coach Caitlin Clark through her WNBA opener about how the pros work. The video explicitly showed the No. 7 on the Fever roster knows how to knit her players together when they are breaking down.

The two have never had vets as they both entered a rather young core. Hence, both Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark are being each other’s support as the black clouds of stress are slowly dispersing. With their very first win and good stat line tonight, both have proven that they can be quite dynamic on the court. But it is good to see how the former Gamecock is handling her team with her positive outlook.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.