Ah, graduation day—a bittersweet cocktail of pomp, circumstance, and nostalgia. For Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston, it was also a social media moment worth melting over. The former South Carolina Gamecock took to Instagram to reshare a heartfelt photo of her alma mater’s latest grads, Bree Hall and Te-Hina Paopao, decked out in caps, gowns, and that unmistakable glow of “we finally did it.”
In true Aliyah fashion, she added a “melting face” emoji to her post, summing up the whirlwind of emotions. “Where has the time gone?” she pondered in her Instagram Story. The subtext? “Wasn’t I just on that court dominating and making history yesterday?”
From Gamecock Royalty to WNBA Stardom
Boston’s tenure with the Gamecocks was nothing short of legendary. Over her four seasons, she didn’t just play; she redefined dominance, leading the team to a national championship in 2022 and racking up enough individual awards to make a trophy cabinet blush. Bree Hall and Te-Hina Paopao were not just teammates; they were comrades in arms, navigating the highs, lows, and endless suicides (the running drills, not the drama).
But Aliyah’s nostalgia wasn’t just for her former teammates; it was also a nod to the passage of time. Imagine going from being the star of March Madness to watching your squadmates toss their mortarboards in the air—all while juggling your own WNBA superstardom.
Rookie of the Year? No Big Deal
Speaking of superstardom, let’s not gloss over what Boston has been up to since leaving college. Drafted first overall in 2023 by the Indiana Fever, she hit the league like a freight train, snagging Rookie of the Year honors with averages of 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Oh, and she also helped the Fever snap a seven-year playoff drought. No biggie, right?
Partnering with Caitlin Clark (yes, that Caitlin Clark), Boston became a cornerstone of the Fever’s resurgence, proving that Indiana fans finally have something to cheer about besides cornfields and Larry Bird anecdotes.
A Jersey in the Rafters—and Then Some
Just when you thought Aliyah Boston’s highlight reel was full, she went and got her jersey retired at Worcester Academy, becoming the first player in the school’s history to receive the honor. The ceremony, which likely required extra Kleenex, added yet another accolade to her ever-growing legacy.
“Feeling blessed to get my jersey retired,” Boston captioned the Instagram post to her 326,000 followers. Translation: “I’m kind of a big deal, but I’m too humble to say it outright.”
And in a plot twist that would make any Fever fan smile, teammate Lexie Hull was also inducted into her high school’s Wall of Fame. Clearly, the Fever roster isn’t just about buckets; it’s about building a legacy.
What’s Next for the Fever Queen?
As Indiana fans eagerly await the 2025 season tipoff against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, Boston has no plans of slowing down. She’ll join Team Vinyl in January for the inaugural Unrivaled season in Miami. If her past is any indicator, expect fireworks—and maybe a few more “melting face” emojis.
So, here’s to Aliyah Boston: a baller, a legend, and now, an emotional Instagrammer. Whether she’s dominating on the court or celebrating her friends’ milestones, one thing’s for sure—she knows how to keep us watching.
