South Carolina Gamecocks forward Aliyah Boston is taking her talents to the WNBA. Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina great declares for 2023 WNBA Draft

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 4/1/23

The day after her season came to an end, Aliyah Boston announced she was declaring for the 2023 WNBA Draft.

God makes no mistakes❤️ this program has been so good to my family and I. Wouldn’t trade these past 4 years for anything. With love gamecock nation❤️ #forevertothee pic.twitter.com/tM2iY0lMet
— Aliyah A. Boston (@aa_boston) April 1, 2023

Few players' accomplishments surpass what Boston did at South Carolina. She led the Gamecocks on a 42-game winning streak, including a national championship last season and a 36-0 record entering Friday night's Final Four contest against Iowa, in which South Carolina lost 77-73.

Boston was named Associated Press Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season and the SEC Player of the Year during the past two campaigns. In each of her four years at South Carolina, she was an AP All-American, an SEC All-Defense team member and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

If this is indeed it for Aliyah Boston at South Carolina, what an incredible career it has been.

- 2022 National Champion & Final Four MOP
- 2022 consensus National Player of the Year
- 2-time SEC Player of the Year
- 129-9 win-loss record

One of the greatest to ever do it. pic.twitter.com/tQyD70XNGE
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 1, 2023

She finishes her college career with a 129-9 record and averages of 14.1 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game.

During a postgame news conference after Friday's game, Boston declined to reveal her decision, while head coach Dawn Staley told reporters that the star forward was ready for the WNBA.

"I would tell her to go. She's great, she's ready," Staley said.

"She's been the cornerstone of our program, she elevated us & raised the standard of how to approach basketball."

Dawn Staley on Gamecock legend Aliyah Boston. @WLTX | #Gamecocks | @aa_boston pic.twitter.com/F1H3twNzhz
— Chandler Mack (@chandlerdmack) April 1, 2023

WNBA scouts agree. Per ESPN, Boston is the projected first overall pick to the Indiana Fever in the fast-approaching 2023 WNBA Draft, set for Monday, April 10.

More must-reads: