South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston declares for the 2023 WNBA Draft

“There is a quote that says — Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away,” the post reads. “In this moment, I am truly breathless as I make the next best decision of my life. I have decided to further pursue my dream by declaring for the 2023 WNBA Draft.”

The Next, a 24/7/365 women’s basketball newsroom

The Next: A basketball newsroom brought to you by The IX. 24/7/365 women’s basketball coverage, written, edited and photographed by our young, diverse staff and dedicated to breaking news, analysis, historical deep dives and projections about the game we love.

Throughout the season, Boston consistently told media she had not decided.

“Haven’t decided yet,” she told reporters after Friday’s loss. “This decision is a big decision. I was going to have to really write down the pros and cons of everything. Whether we won or not, it would still have to be something that I would have to consider.”

And after a college career littered with accolades and a championship, she’s the unanimous No. 1 draft pick, but with the NCAA’s addition of a “COVID year” and name, image, likeness (NIL) money flowing into the college game, many others in her class have decided to take a grad year at their college programs.

But it seemed clear that Coach Dawn Staley felt it was ready for Boston to take on the next chapter, telling reporters this week she was planning on not having the seniors next year.

Add Locked On Women’s Basketball to your daily routine

Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.

“I’m going to tell her to go. There are defenses that are played against her that won’t allow her to play her game. And then it’s hard to officiate that,” Staley told media Friday night. “She’s ready. She’s ready to see single coverage. She’s ready to make the next step to the league.”

Boston will be remembered as a revolutionary player in Staley’s system and alongside a class, dubbed “The Freshies,” which brought the Gamecocks to consistent dominance and success.

Boston will likely head to the Indiana Fever, who has the No. 1 pick, and join a young squad. Many predict Boston will be a franchise-changer for the young Fever.