Does she deserve National Player of the Year?

She’s a 6’5 forward who has been making headlines a lot this season. Aliyah Boston has made headlines once again, this time for setting the program record for double-doubles, clinching her 73rd in a win against Arkansas on Sunday. Boston is no stranger to setting records and winning awards. 

Just a few of the awards Boston has won while being at South Carolina include Honda Cup Collegiate Athlete of the Year, SEC Female Athlete of the Year, and SEC Player of the Year last year. National Player of the Year for 2021 and 2022, First-Team All-America 2021 and 2022, Lisa Leslie Center of the Year in 2020, 2021, and 2022. She was also the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year last year, as well as the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player, and NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team, which she also received in 2021. 

In high school, she received the WBCA McDonald’s SLAM All-America award in 2019, as well as Naismith Second Team and USA Today Massachusetts Player of the Year. She also took home Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Boston has also been involved with USA Basketball since 2017, playing on various types of teams, winning medals, and being invited to training camps. 

Boston has also earned a number of records while at South Carolina. In her career, she is 1st in triple-doubles and double-doubles in SEC games. Last season she earned 1st for a lot of season records like, rebounds, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, double-doubles, consecutive double-doubles, games played, and games started. I think that her list of accolades proves she deserves to be in the running for NPOY.