Aaliyah Boston turns down 5th year in South Carolina for WNBA draft

South Carolina Gamecocks Superstar Alia Boston has made a big decision about her future.

In a social media post, Naismith, the top quarterback of 2023, announced that she will forgo her final year of eligibility and announce WNBA draft.

“God is not wrong, this program has been so good for my family and for me. I wouldn’t trade these last 4 years for anything. With love to the Gamecock Nation,” Boston tweeted Saturday.

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Aaliyah Boston of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the National Championship Trophy presentation after beating the UConn Huskies 64-49 in the 2022 NCAA National Championship game at the Target Center on April 3, 2022 in Minneapolis.

Aaliyah Boston of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the National Championship Trophy presentation after beating the UConn Huskies 64-49 in the 2022 NCAA National Championship game at the Target Center on April 3, 2022 in Minneapolis. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

She added that leaving South Carolina is “the next best thing” for her.

“At this point, I really took my breath away as I make the next best decision of my life,” she wrote. “I decided to fulfill my dream by entering the 2023 WNBA draft.”

Her decision came after South Carolina’s undefeated season came to an end Friday night. Iowa star Caitlin Clark scored a career-high 41 points to give the Hawkeyes an upset 77–73 victory in the Final Four.

Boston helped South Carolina win its second national title last season and is a three-time unanimous American champion.

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Boston won the Wood Award in 2022 and is a finalist again this season. It is expected that it will become number one in the world. 1st pick in the April 10 draft. Indiana Fever holds the top pick.

Aaliyah Boston (4) of the South Carolina Gamecocks shoots the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Tournament Four Finals Semifinals at the American Airlines Center on March 31, 2023 in Dallas.

Aaliyah Boston (4) of the South Carolina Gamecocks shoots the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Tournament Four Finals Semifinals at the American Airlines Center on March 31, 2023 in Dallas. (Photos by Ben Solomon/NCAA via Getty Images)

Boston had the opportunity to stay with the Gamecocks for a fifth season because its 2019-29 season was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said she had not yet decided to turn pro when reporters asked her a question after playing against Iowa on Friday. But Boston made the decision with a blessing head coach Don Staley.

Aliya Boston of South Carolina holds the championship trophy after defeating Tennessee 74-58 to win the Southeastern Conference championship game in Greenville, South Carolina on March 5, 2023.

Aliya Boston of South Carolina holds the championship trophy after defeating Tennessee 74-58 to win the Southeastern Conference championship game in Greenville, South Carolina on March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Mick Smith)

“I’ll tell her to leave,” Staley said Saturday. “There are defenses against her that don’t allow her to play her game and it’s hard to judge. So I would tell her to leave. She is gorgeous. She’s ready. to take the next step in the league.”

Boston began playing for South Carolina in 2019. Two years prior to her joining the program, Staley led the Gamecocks to the first national title in the program’s history.

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Boston’s university resume tells a story of dominance. She was the team’s anchor for four seasons.. South Carolina has made three consecutive Final Four appearances, with Boston serving as the starting center.