Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston has been named 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, the league announced Monday. The No. 1 overall pick from this year's draft, Boston put together a historic season and became the fifth player in to win the award unanimously. She joins legend Tamika Catchings as the second Fever player to earn the honor.
Boston averaged 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game on a league-best 57.8% shooting. In addition to leading all rookies in those categories, she finished 24th in the league in scoring, ninth in rebounding and ninth in blocks. She was also the first rookie ever to lead the league in field goal percentage. Along the way, Boston was named an All-Star Game starter, becoming the sixth rookie in league history to accomplish that feat.
From #1 overall pick to ROTY👑@aa_boston is your UNANIMOUS 2023 @Kia #WNBA Rookie of the Year 🙌
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 2, 2023
Boston averaged 14.5 PPG , 8.4 RPG, 2.2 APG & shot a WNBA-high 57.8% from the field, becoming the first rookie to ever lead in that category 👏 #KiaROY #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/YnoiIgtVq6
Looking at total statistics, Boston became the fifth rookie to have 500 points and 300 rebounds in a season, joining Yolanda Griffith, Candace Parker, Tina Charles and Breanna Stewart -- all either current or future Hall of Famers. On a single-game level, Boston put up 27 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in a loss to the Dallas Wings on Sept. 1. In doing so, she became the fifth rookie ever to have 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a game, joining Diana Taurasi, Parker, Stewart and A'ja Wilson -- again all future Hall of Famers.
Due in large part to Boston's arrival, the Fever put together their best season in a number of years. Though they still missed out on the playoffs, they were in the mix until the final month and won more games (13) than they did in the last two seasons combined (11). With Boston in place, it's clear there's a bright future in Indiana.
To no surprise, Boston also highlighted the All-Rookie Team.
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
Aliyah Boston | Indiana Fever |
Jordan Horston | Seattle Storm |
Dorka Juhasz | Minnesota Lynx |
Li Meng | Washington Mystics |
Diamond Miller | Minnesota Lynx |
Miller was the No. 2 overall pick in the draft and while she got off to a tough start with an ankle injury, she bounced back to put together the best season of any rookie besides Boston. Her 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game helped the Lynx make the playoffs.
