South Carolina's Aliyah Boston declares for WNBA draft

South Carolina star forward Aliyah Boston declared for the 2023 WNBA Draft on Saturday.

Boston announced her decision on Twitter on Saturday, one day after the Gamecocks saw their undefeated season come to a halt with a 77-73 setback to Iowa in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

The 2021-22 national player of the year elected against using her fifth year of collegiate eligibility following the COVID-19 pandemic. She is expected to be selected with the first overall pick, which is held by the Indiana Fever.

"When I first arrived on campus on that warm day in May of 2019, I had no idea what to expect as a 17-year-old," Boston wrote in her post. "Four years later, I can honestly say this was the best, first decision of my life.

"... 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. 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 Most Outstanding Player of last year's Final Four, Boston averaged 14.1 points and 10.8 rebounds in 138 career games (all starts) at South Carolina. She also was the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.

The WNBA draft will take place on April 10 in New York.