In women\u2019s college basketball, dynasties are built by legendary coaches and generational players. For years, Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma set the standard. Now, Dawn Staley has built her own empire at South Carolina, powered by stars like Aliyah Boston.<\/p>\n
After another dominant professional season from Boston, her former coach is making a bold prediction that the rest of the WNBA<\/a> should probably take seriously.<\/p>\n Why Does Dawn Staley Believe Aliyah Boston Is a Future MVP?<\/p>\n While Geno Auriemma and the Connecticut Huskies added a 12th title in 2025, South Carolina Gamecocks coach Staley has arguably created the current powerhouse in college basketball. Staley, who coached at Temple from 2000 to 2008, took over at South Carolina in 2008 and has since led the Gamecocks to three national championships in 2017, 2022, and 2024.<\/p>\n Of course, building a dynasty requires recruiting elite talent, and few players have been more impactful for Staley than current Indiana Fever forward Boston. The pair won an NCAA Championship in 2022, a tournament where Boston was named Most Outstanding Player. Her college career was packed with accolades, including being a two-time Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, a four-time Lisa Leslie Award winner, and the consensus National Player of the Year in 2022.<\/p>\n Boston\u2019s success translated immediately to the professional level. The Fever selected her with the first overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, and she made an instant impact, winning Rookie of the Year and earning an All-Star selection. In fact, Boston has made the All-Star team in all three of her seasons and was just named to the second-team All-WNBA.<\/p>\n This past season, she elevated her game to another level, averaging 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting an efficient 53.8% from the field.<\/p>\n What Did Staley Say About Her Former Star?<\/p>\n Following Boston\u2019s All-WNBA recognition, her former coach offered high praise and a bold prediction for her future.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Aliyah, congratulations,\u201d Staley said<\/a>. \u201cYou know I know this was a foregone conclusion of the year that you had. Congratulations on your second team All-Defensive team and second-team All-WNBA.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are so deserving of this and more\u2026That MVP season is loading and it\u2019s yours. I\u2019m claiming it.\u201d \ud83d\udd2e<\/p>\n Dawn Staley showing love to Aliyah Boston \ud83e\udef6 pic.twitter.com\/LxxvjOpppY<\/a> \u201cYou are so deserving of this and more\u2026That MVP season is loading and it\u2019s yours. I\u2019m claiming it.\u201d<\/p>\n Staley also highlighted Boston\u2019s incredible versatility on the court. \u201cCongratulations on this accomplishment, your season, your ability to expand your game and being a point center, point forward, point point, you get my point! Congratulations, super proud of you, all of Gamecock Nation loves you, supports you and knows you represent us extremely well.\u201d<\/p>\n Although the Las Vegas Aces eliminated Boston and the Fever in a hard-fought Semifinals series, the future in Indiana looks bright. As Boston pointed out<\/a>, she is expected to team back up with 2024 Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark next season. Clark was limited to just 13 games this season due to a frustrating series of injuries, including a left quad, left groin, right groin, and ankle bone bruise.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) October 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n