Aliyah Boston is gearing up for her debut in Unrivaled, the new 3v3 league of women’s basketball. The Indiana Fever forward recently discussed her training for the upcoming WNBA season, particularly with the franchise’s fresh coaching staff.
In a recent interview with IndyStar, Boston revealed that she has already started working with new player development coach Keith Porter under the guidance of new head coach Stephanie White. Porter made the trip to Massachusetts, where Boston was training, in December to assist her before she joined Unrivaled.
Boston mentioned that they were focusing on refining new elements of her game. “Just working on being quick yet composed in the mid-post, particularly building confidence in taking my shots,” Boston shared with the publication.
She continued, “I really appreciated Keith coming to Massachusetts to train with me, and we are continually working on that, as well as broadening my skill set, enabling me to attack from various angles.”
Aliyah Boston of Indiana Fever (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Boston believes 3v3 basketball will enhance her defensive skills
Last season, Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, averaged 14 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. However, she anticipates that her time in Unrivaled will aid in improving her defense, especially given the unique dimensions of the court compared to FIBA rules.
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“The floor offers a lot of space, so individually, it’s crucial to defend well because it will be challenging,” Boston explained to IndyStar. “You can’t crowd the paint since everyone can shoot the 3-pointer effectively. The key is to be able to defend your own player. We aim to play fast, which aligns with the pace of the league. It’s a high-speed game, and we intend to maintain that tempo.”
In Unrivaled, Boston teams up with other players like Dearica Hamby, Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard, Rae Burrell, and Arike Ogunbowale as part of Vinyl Basketball Club. Her Fever teammate Lexi Hull will compete for Rose Basketball Club, alongside Angel Reese.
Unrivaled will premiere on January 17th. This innovative 10-week league will be based in Miami, providing top-tier women’s basketball athletes a lucrative domestic opportunity instead of playing overseas during the off-season.
