Rising star of the Indiana Fever, Aliyah Boston faces big expectations this season. Even more so since she was voted “Rookie of the Year” in 2023 and was joined by the phenomenon Caitlin Clark.
But Aliyah Boston and the Fever have won just one of their first eight games of the season. A collective failure that we find in the player's stats: 11 points at 44.2% on shots and 6.1 rebounds on average compared to 14.5 points at 57.8% and 8.4 rebounds last season.
Certainly, the Fever dealt with a busy schedule with 8 games in 14 days, and oppositions against some of the best teams (twice the Connecticut Sun, twice the New York Liberty and once the Las Vegas Aces), but Aliyah Boston also discovers new systems, and the pressure of being part of the elite.
“She is trying to understand and learn our new style of play”, explains Fever coach Christie Sides. “Aliyah played against the best post players in the league the last few nights. They are all Olympic level and she is only in her second year. I think because she was Rookie of the Year and had a great year, we tend to forget that. »
Protect yourself from social networks
Women's basketball and the franchise in the spotlight, this media coverage also brings its share of disadvantages. In a delicate period on the ground, Aliyah Boston also has to face criticism on social networks.
“I must protect my peace”recognizes the interior of Fever. “There are just a lot of 'armchair coaches' and a lot of people who have never been on the floor… They spend their time telling you how you should play basketball and that you ruin every bet. Personally, I'd rather not know, because obviously I've been trying to get those bounces…I just logged out (of social media). »
By cutting herself off from these futile distractions, Aliyah Boston intends to refocus on the essentials to finally launch her season and that of the Indiana Fever.
“It was good for me (to disconnect from the networks)… Anyway, everything that happened on social networks, happened because I'm going through a bad patch this season, and I can’t wait to get out”.
