← Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Bird's Eye View with Sue Bird
Aliyah Boston on the Fever Making a Playoff Run & Playing With Caitlin Clark + Sue's Playoff Recap
01:36:11
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- [00:00]
Aaliyah Boston
Oh my God. That cry meme. I want you to know that cry meme was the most frustrating thing. I was like, listen, I get it. Every commercial doesn't have to have it. Marsh Madness is happy. People do win. Yeah, people do win. It's okay to show that. It's okay to show someone smiling. I actually think I had like every time I saw a commercial I was like, oh my gosh, I'm about to see myself crying again. Like, are they serious?
- [00:31]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Hey everybody. Welcome back to Bird's Eye View. I'm really excited about today's guest. She is not just a rising star in the wnba. She's been a force at every level. She was a national champion at the University of South Carolina before being drafted number one overall by the Indiana Fever in 2023. That season she was the unanimous rookie of the Year and is currently a three time All Star. This season she averaged 15 points, 8.2 rebounds, nearly four assists a night while shooting 53% from the field. I'm talking about none other than Aaliyah Boston. She's scoring, rebounding, facilitating, protecting the rim again, playing at a super high level. I actually got to chat with Aaliyah earlier in this season and it's funny because she was at a stretch at that point where she was having huge second halves to help her team get wins. Well, last night she helped the Fever advance to the WNBA semifinals for the first time in a decade over the Atlanta Dream. And in true Aaliyah Boston fashion, when her team needed her the Most, she had 11 points and 5 rebounds in the second half plus the game winning basket. You'll get to hear all about how Aaliyah got to this point. But before we get into the interview, you know what time it is. It's time for Sue's View.
- [01:50]
Aaliyah Boston
Support for this show comes from Pure Leaf Iced tea. When you find yourself in the afternoon slump, you need need the right thing to make you bounce back. You need pure leaf iced tea. It's real brewed tea made in a variety of bold flavors with just the right amount of naturally occurring caffeine. You're left feeling refreshed and revitalized so you can be ready to take on what's next.
- [02:11]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
The next time you need to hit.
- [02:12]
Aaliyah Boston
The reset button, grab a pure leaf iced tea. Time for a tea break. Time for a pure leaf. Support for this show comes from Strawberry Me.
- [02:24]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Be honest.
- [02:25]
Aaliyah Boston
Are you happy with your job or.
- [02:28]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Are you stuck in one you've outgrown.
- [02:30]
Aaliyah Boston
Or never wanted in the first place?
- [02:33]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Sure, you can probably List the reasons for staying, but are they actually just excuses for not leaving? Let a career coach from Strawberry, me help you get unstuck. Discover the benefits of having a dedicated career coach in your corner.
- [02:49]
Aaliyah Boston
Go to Strawberry, me unstuck to claim a special offer.
- [02:54]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Okay, We've got our boy Tommy Alter back with us to do some man. Tommy. The playoffs.
- [03:01]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
What a night.
- [03:02]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
What a night. What a. What a week.
- [03:04]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
What a night. What a back to back.
- [03:06]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You don't.
- [03:06]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
I don't think you get much better than, you know, two of these win or go home games going down to the last second.
- [03:13]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
No, it's. It's literally everything. Everything you want and more. Um, it was intense, though. Where do you want to start? Where we start?
- [03:20]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
I think we start. Let's start. Let's start. Indy, Atlanta. Um, your. Just initial thoughts. Your initial thoughts, even just broadly speaking, on the Fever and. And you'll get to some of this with Aaliyah a little bit later. With everything they've gone through this year going on to the second round.
- [03:38]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, I mean, you know, Aaliyah Boston was interviewed, I think it was Malika before the game, and it was like, fill in the blank. The Indiana Fever need to do blank. And she was like, be resilient. And that clearly is their theme. Super gritty win. You know, all their injuries, they've had to go through so much this season, and honestly, it prepares you for these moments. I guarantee you that's all that they've been talking about in their locker room. Right? Like, we've already been through so much. We always find a way, and that's really what they're hanging their hat on. But I'll be honest, whether it's like, I think, like, thematically, what's really jumping out to me is whether you look at Indiana, right, they've had to pick up players like Odyssey Sims, Ariel Powers. This even. I would even say this about Golden State. So even though Golden State lost a tough one in that game, two to Minnesota, Minnesota has obviously moved on. The thing about Golden State, I think that allowed them to have the season they had and then the playoffs they had, is it's vets. Like, vets win you games. And right now the WNBA the last couple years has been in a place from like a CBA standpoint, salary cap standpoint, where at times decisions have to be made and teams have generally gone with the youth, they've gone with potential. But I think this playoffs is showing you vets. It might not always be pretty because those last couple minutes in that Indiana, Atlanta game where I didn't see a lot of execution. I saw a lot of grit, I saw a lot of will, not a lot of execution. But vets find you ways to win, and that's really what stood out.
- [05:12]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Okay, so with Indy in particular, maybe take Kelsey out of it because she's been all world, like. Like, I don't. I feel like just calling her a vet is not doing justice what she's done this year. But with the rest of this roster. And we'll get to her after this, I guess. But with the rest of this roster, what. How. How did that manifest itself in this particular series? Because I do think now I went to game two in Indy. I think a lot of people thought this thing was over after Game 1. Even though they played well in Game 1 and Atlanta pulled away at the end, I don't think there was a lot of confidence even in the building in Indiana that there was any chance. And the fact that they're going to Vegas now to that point, I'm just kind of curious, with this particular makeup of this roster, what's an example of that?
- [05:52]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, I mean, I think I kind of listed it with. With Odyssey, with Aerial Powers, you know.
- [05:58]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Tsh.
- [05:58]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, Tosh. But like, the players that were already on the roster, like, listen, you have to have to say vets win you games is not to say you should have. You know, every player needs to have 10 years of experience and up. It's not that you need a full roster, a full makeup of people. It's putting that together. Right. So the youth of Aaliyah Boston, I would even say the youth of Lexi hall, who has had, I think, a really good year, starting to, like, I think her experience over the last three, four seasons is starting to kick in, but she's still pretty young. And then, yeah, you mentioned Kelsey Mitchell, who has definitely been through a lot. But more than anything, what I saw in game two, and this is where the Fever deserve a ton of respect. I think Stephanie White's doing a phenomenal job. They had belief and they threw the first punch. I mean, they threw punches all night in Game 2, but they threw the first punch, which is exactly what you need to do. You're finally at home. You get that home game. Atlanta hasn't really, as a group, they haven't done much. They don't really have experience in these moments. So I thought by Indiana throwing that first punch and really, like, defensively setting a tone, I mean, it felt like Atlanta couldn't. Couldn't really get anything going that grit again that kicked up on their defense and then it allows them to fuel their offense, which, yes, back to the original point. Natasha Howard, Odyssey Sims, Ariel Powers. I mean these have player, these are players that have won championships. Natasha and Ariel Odyssey has played in a ton of playoff games. You know who I'm even going to throw in there also? Shay Petty, Brianna Turner. Like these are two players that in Phoenix were playing in a finals just a couple years ago. This experience matters in these types of games. They don't get rattled, these players. It's like ugly. They could easily fold and they just don't.
- [07:47]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
I was thinking about when you were talking about, about Atlanta never getting comfortable. You were talking about this with, about in regards to Golden State last week about just even their strategy with Minnesota just mucking it up.
- [07:59]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [08:00]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
I think if you had, if I had told you before last night, Indy was going to shoot 6 of 22 from 3. Just everything across the board. Statistically you're kind of like, I don't think that they're winning this game on the road, but they kind of just kept hanging around. We're going to get to Vegas last night, but I think for this, when you look at them, these guys moving forward for the rest of the playoffs, does this feel like the recipe for success for them is to just almost play a game like this all the time?
- [08:31]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, a little bit. Would they love to shoot better? 100%. You know, would they like for it to be a little, let's call it cleaner? 100%. But I think there's something to a team that, you know, has already exceeded expectations. They really have nothing to lose. No one, you know, nobody in Vegas is putting their money on them against the Aces and yet all they're doing really is finding ways, particularly the games on the road or this, this last game on the road, they just like stayed close. That's all you have to do at times. Sometimes you just want to be within 10 points going into the fourth on the road against a team that's quote unquote supposed to beat you. And that's when things get weird. That's when the pressure really starts to mount for the higher seated team. And Indiana is playing especially defensively, just like super, super gritty. And by the way, that's also a theme. I'm noticing we were both at the New York Liberty game against Phoenix. I know we'll get to that in a second. Phoenix is playing the, the type of defense. So I'd say Phoenix, Indiana, I think Golden State had a little Bit of that in game two. You're seeing it with Vegas in the Vegas Seattle series as well. There's like a defensive pressure that has kicked up that's really putting a lot of pressure on teams to execute offensively. And so far, what I've seen is the teams that play better in the broken play. And now we'll bring it back to Indiana. Atlanta. Indiana played well in the broken play. Atlanta look like they didn't know where to go in the broken play.
- [10:07]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Well, I was going to say the other thing to. With that is. And we were talking about this a minute ago, but they have an elite, elite closer in Kelsey. You know, like, you have someone who can just take over a game offensively. And I think we can't probably give her enough credit for what she's had to sort of do this year, all things considered, with the, you know, every. All the injuries in the back court and everything like that. And so sometimes it is. I feel like just in basketball, it is that it's like everyone knows what they're doing. Everybody plays defense. Everybody is kind of connected. And then you have one person who, you know can take over when you need. I was going to ask you if we had taped this yesterday, if they were going to play her all 40. They ended up only playing her 32 minutes. But that does feel like it. There's a confidence. It feels like there's a confidence there of them understanding the roles of how everybody fits on this particular group.
- [10:58]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. Honestly, do you want to know what my favorite part was? Well, first of all, credit where credit is due. Kelsey Mitchell has 19 in the first half. So I do agree with you that it is nice having that one player. Right. I always call it. It's like everybody, every team, if they're going to go far, needs the ultimate bailout. One player has to be able to bail you out. And Indiana does have that with Kelsey Mitchell. But this game was like, slightly different in that she started out so hot. But then the credit where credit is due is Atlanta. They changed it up. They put Jordan Canada on her and Jordan, if Jordan has an assignment. I mean, I played with Jordan for years. If Jordan has an assignment just to shut someone down, she's going to shut them down. She's feisty, she's quick. You can't get her off you. She's. She's just always there. She always. Not always. She sometimes gives up a little bit in size. But with this Kelsey Mitchell matchup, Jordan's not giving up that much in size. She also had a Double double. On the other side, Jordan did. So she played a great game. But I think once Kelsey got that matchup and was having a little more difficult. I mean, that brings us to our guest today, Aaliyah Boston. Aaliyah steps up. Right. Other people on the team are stepping up, and that really, again, circles back on this grit. So that's where Indiana does have like a nice little. I don't know, they've got good, little momentum going.
- [12:16]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Speaking of grit, the other game last night, another. Another one point game. 74, 73. I want to get your, like, initial thoughts on this series, but I would just say kind of like shout out to both teams because I think we circled this. We definitely circled this as the series that was probably our favorite going into the playoffs. And I don't know that it could have delivered honestly any better than it did.
- [12:38]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, just like huge swings. Obviously, game one was not great. Right. I don't even mean, like from who won who. It was just like not a great game. It was a blowout. Aces, you know, did their thing. So to have game two and game three be what they were, you know, game two, honestly, they were very similar in that the storm just wouldn't go away. The Aces kind of were doing enough, doing enough, doing enough, and the storm just wouldn't go away. I mean, like I said, is this. Is this or is this not the theme of this playoffs? Yeah, it's not about being pretty. It's just about not. It's about being resilient. I feel like every team in their post game interviews has talked about resiliency and the same could be said here. I thought the Aces did from game two to game three did a great job of adjusting and getting Asia different looks, getting her to different spots. You know, Becky had talked about wanting to get her in movement against Dom, who does have a lot of length. So Asia played a great game, but, man, I'm just like not a Jackie Young. Put back that one.
- [13:47]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
I know.
- [13:47]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Swamp fan. That one hurt. It's like you do everything right. You finally get Asia to miss. You finally get her to pull up. She was just driving to the back. You finally get her to take a mid range and Jackie Young's there on the other side. Who in this series you're going to talk about Asia. I mean, she had like 38. How do you not. Jackie Young has really been someone. I think that is like that. I don't know that X factor unsung.
- [14:10]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Hero feel like that's the. That's always the we. You not to discount anything that Asia has done on all of these runs. But you. We always have that conversation every time the Aces make the run is. Is like J. And you kind of talked about that with her when she came on is it feels like she's a. She's like a September October player.
- [14:29]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. So hard to guard. I don't think people fully understand when she gets downhill, she's incredibly strong. Incredibly strong. She's got great size. And when she gets downhill, she's now added like the like slow mo euro step. So she gets you on your shoulder. It's not. It's not a charge, but she's able to like bump you off a little bit and then slows down like that decel. I don't think people understand how hard that is. And they couldn't, you know, the Storm, there's a couple possessions late where they just like couldn't guard that even though.
- [15:01]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
They lost in the first round. And if you. If we asked them this right now, I'm sure they would probably get mad even hearing the question, does this season feel like a success for the Storm or this outcome feel like it's a storm. Considering where they were six weeks ago, where we weren't even sure they were going to make the playoffs.
- [15:16]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. I mean, I don't. That's a tough. I get what you're saying. I think they should be incredibly proud with how they finished the season off again, given how game one went, they should be incredibly proud for the bounce back. Every single player you could say something about that stepped up and did something. I think the overall look at the season though, where the disappointment lives and where you feel like they could have done better is they could have been a higher seed. This could have been a different scenario if they have home court advantage right in the first round. So that's where. That's where it's like. Yeah. Compared to the last six weeks, the response was amazing. But then you look at the whole season and you just feel like this is a team that could have finished in. In the top four, you know, but again, sometimes it is what it is and you gotta play it out. So for them to, to. To respond is definitely something to be proud of.
- [16:13]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
I thought I've just like, just with Malanga alone. Yeah, like, I think. I mean, we. We didn't get a chance to tape in between games two and three. When she came in the game, I had this written down. The aces had a 97.5% chance to win. Just having somebody like that off the bench who's 19, who can swing a game like that with all the other talent that they have up and down that roster? You know, it just, it does feel like it was funny watching these two teams because these both teams are just loaded.
- [16:44]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, this is a really good matchup. These two teams in the regular season had some battles, honestly in the last couple years. We've played them in the playoffs like they were. We played them last year in the playoffs. These two teams, it's. This isn't just like your typical two versus seven, right. Because of like history. Because of. I think the matchup itself, just how the two teams match up just makes. It makes for, for, for a tough series.
- [17:11]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
The last deciding games tonight in Phoenix, Liberty, Phoenix, 9pm Eastern. We were at game two was pretty ugly, honestly. Game one was a great game. Game two was kind of over by the middle of the second quarter. What do you think, what do you think for both teams looking ahead to tonight, they're kind of, you know, in a, in a, in a perfect world, their X factor is planning wise.
- [17:38]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So I think if you're Phoenix, and we definitely talked about this, if you're Phoenix, you are continuing to pressure the absolute shit out of them defensively. And what that led to in game two was it actually led to it a little bit in game one, but not Liberty handled a little bit better. What it led to was turnovers, which leads to fast break points. But you know what it also led to? It led to like quick, like quick meaning within the possession, quick shots. And a lot of times, listen, to quote the great basketball mind of Tracee Ellis Ross, at halftime she was telling us, I feel like they're shooting the long ones too much. But they were. She was right.
- [18:24]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
She kept saying it, but she was right.
- [18:26]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
They were coming down. You know what happened in that game too between Phoenix and New York was a four to five minute stretch at the end of the second quarter where Phoenix was able to. They were running a flat pick and roll. They were putting Sabrina and whoever Sabrina was guarding and they, that person was setting a screen for 80 at the top. And the Liberty just like couldn't figure out this like inverted pick and roll on how to guard it. I mean, at. It's tough. It's, it's. Listen, she was plowing into some people. I know they didn't call anything but like. So we'll see how that goes this game. But Phoenix is able to score and on the other end they're just forcing the Liberty into turnovers, into quick shots, into quick long ones and that got that fueled their, their transition. So then they don't even have to run an offense. The one time late in the second quarter, they had to set something up and run an offense. They didn't score. So that needs to be so if I'm New York, so if I'm Phoenix, I'm not really changing much. I'm kind of, you know, I'm understanding New York might do something different, but I'm not really changing much for New York. If they're not talking about relieving the pressure, finding ways to not have every pick and roll blown up, finding ways to, you know, maybe it's like going into like a little bit of a pitch game, right? So if you're a guard, you're getting pressured. Maybe instead of trying to use the screen with the dribble, you're actually passing it to your post player and then playing off that, you have to find ways to relieve the pressure to not to get better shots, to have less turnovers. So Phoenix's running game can't get fueled.
- [19:57]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
It was a thing. That was it just from the eye test alone was kind of shocking to see for a, you know, a defending champ offensively was their inability to get anything moving in the paint. And I'll talk about being stuck in the mud. It was like in the second and third quarter alone, there's probably seven or eight possessions where they basically ended up forcing like 25 foot threes at the end of the shot clock, which to your point, and you said this, you flagged this with Phoenix before the series started. You're like, once they get running with the athletes they have and the size they have, like, forget about it. Like you can't. And so you, so that's one of those, it's just one of the, it's. It feels like when we were talking about Indy doing a great job of getting Atlanta in the muck, it just felt like the Liberty were in the muck the whole time. I think my question for you on them offensively, knowing just the personnel, you know, and the level of skill and experience and everything, like, like what are they, are they going to run their offense differently, you think? A little bit tonight, like, how do you, how do you almost like settle down? Because they have all the pieces to not be in this place. It just felt like they got out of sorts and they couldn't get back in it, which happens. But now that you've had a six hour flight to digest how to change that, what is the way to make sure that you don't start, you know, the first quarter like, you finished the last three.
- [21:22]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I personally, I'm a big believer in, like, doing something different. I understand at times teams have identities. They have places they want to go. They have spots they want to get to. They have players. They want to get the ball in specific places. But if another team is taking that away from you in such a way, they have sold out to this, I just go somewhere else. I'm like, oh, you don't want us to, you know, post Stewie up? And, oh, you don't want us to get the Sabrina, JJ pick and roll going.
- [21:52]
Aaliyah Boston
I'm going.
- [21:53]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I'm going elsewhere. But teams have to have that in their, you know, like, in their toolbox. So I don't know. I'm not in the New York Liberty practices. I don't know what their toolbox has in it. But the things I'm talking about is, like, what else can we do? Why are we trying to force this? Why are we trying to just continue to hammer the same plays the same ways against a team that has scouted you, against a team that. And that's playoff basketball, by the way. Finding another way. I mean, one of my favorite. One of my favorite things is playing against Minnesota. You know, late. Late in my career, I realized, you learned this, right? Like, what Minnesota does great is they scout the shit out of you. They know your play calls better than you do. So it was one year, I think it was Jenny Busak. She was just like, you know what? We're just not going to call plays. And so that was our game plan. We just didn't call plays. And if we did, we did it, like, secretly. We whispered. And you know what? It made it harder for them. I just never understood if a team's.
- [22:50]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Trying to do something, could you tell that they. That they could pick up that you had done that?
- [22:57]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Good question. I do know that it would, like, fluster them to not know what was coming next. We would, like, surprise them with stuff. But then the minute they heard a play call, you would hear the whole team, like, they're running strong. They're running strong, and everybody knew what was happening. So I just feel like for New York, I'm looking at the film. I already talked about the pitch game a little bit. You know, maybe it's going to, like, what usually is your third and fourth option? Maybe you're starting with that.
- [23:21]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Yeah.
- [23:22]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
And you're trying to loosen things up a little bit. I mean, the other side of it is if you play defense and get out in transition. There is no scout. Right. There is no ball pressure. There is no, they can't like sniff things out in the same way because you're, you're, you're, you're in the running game. But I also just want to say that that Liberty game was actually so bad for them that I almost can view it as a positive. It's, it's just like you're saying this after one of those days, like to lose by that much in the way that they did. They were, they were forcing outside shots. They were also missing bunnies at the same time. It was just an awful night that.
- [23:56]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
I think they free throws, they didn't take care of the ball. Like some of these things are also just, if you play cleaner, you give yourself a chance. Like they didn't give themselves a chance after the first five minutes of the first quarter, which is unfortunate at home in a closeout game. But also, you know, it happens.
- [24:13]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, it was also like that, like I said, that four to five minute stretch in the second quarter headed into halftime, that's when the game was lost. And then listen, the second half, they were just, it was clear something was up mentally. Okay. One other thing I noticed in the playoffs was this, this particular game situation came up twice. Okay. It happened in game two of the Aces Storm and it happened in game two of the Valkyries, Minnesota. So in both scenarios, the same thing happened for the Valkyries and for the Aces. They were down one, the other team had the ball. There was a shot clock differentiation of like 4 seconds. So let's say there's 28, 29, 30 seconds on the game clock, fresh shot clock, Other team has the ball and they didn't foul and both teams lost. Both teams got shots off at the end, right? For the Aces, it was like worst and best case scenario because Skyler hits this pull up that puts the Storm up by three, but then that stops the clock when the ball goes in. So the Aces can call timeout. They have four seconds. Jewel actually got a wide open three, which was crazy in and of itself. For the Valkyries, the shock, there was a shot clock violation. So they didn't foul. Minnesota didn't get a shot. So it's still a one point game. And they get the ball back with four seconds. And I've just, I was, I, I, I saw both these things play out. And I'm watching, you know, from home, and I'm thinking to myself, I'm fouling. I'm, you know what I'm doing. And I was Talking to Jenny Busick about this, you know what I'm doing. And she has like numbers and stats to prove these things. I'm trapping, I'm putting the pressure on the team with the ball who's trying to just hold on to a lead. I'm getting a trap or two in, in the first like 10 seconds, but then I'm fouling. And it's interesting that both teams didn't foul and it was the best case scenarios because they got shots, but they still lost.
- [26:15]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Yeah, it is interesting that they didn't. They didn't choose to try to extend the game. I mean, with the. We were watching. I think we were watching the Valkyries one and they just, it. They just got lucky that Minnesota didn't execute or they would have been screwed. You know, they basically. It's like you, it was a. Also they. They ended up getting a shot off at the end. But you basically, like if you give yourself four seconds to get off a shot, like everything has to go right to get off the right shot. Like, it wasn't like they, it wasn't like they left themselves 15, you know, or not even 15, like nine or 10 seconds or something like that to do. Felt it felt it feels very weird. Is that, does that feel new, though? I mean, does that feel like a new strategy?
- [27:01]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I know. It's like if both coaches weren't in the middle of, you know, for, for Natalie, it's like her, her season's finishing. For Becky, she's in the middle of something. I want to text both of them and be like, I'm actually just curious the thought because by the way, the one thing I'll say about these situations is they are very dependent on your coaching philosophy, but your roster. Do I have like, do I trust my team defensively so much? Do I trust my team offensively so much? Like all of these things go into these late game decisions. I just, I'm just like not sure I've seen it to your point. I'm not sure I've seen it much. So I'm like, is this new or is this just like these two? Hey, they just coached together last year. Maybe it's something they had talked about they. For years.
- [27:43]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
I also think what's interesting about it a little bit is the in, I guess for. For Vegas, it wasn't a closeout game because they were up. But like, it's a. I think in general your goal in that situation is to just extend, extend, extend and give yourself like as many possible avenues to potentially get back in It. And that may be by things like miss free throws. And it just feel. It's a. It's a. It's a very like high risk, high reward proposition.
- [28:12]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [28:12]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Because you're like putting all your eggs in one basket and then like, listen, if Valkyries had hit that shot, then they would be. She'd be a genius.
- [28:19]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [28:19]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
You know, because. Because you basically didn't give yourself. Yeah. So it's.
- [28:23]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So that always exists, but it does.
- [28:26]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
It feels. It's a. It. It does feel a little bit like the. Almost like the fouling. The fouling. The. Up, you know, on three. Yeah, the three verse two fouling, where you're just kind of like. It's a. It's funny to watch the strategy kind of change in real time.
- [28:43]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. Yeah. Because like I said, it worked out because on both possessions, the clock got stopped. Skyler made basket. Minnesota shot clock. If either team shoots, it misses. You get the O board. Game over. You have to foul at that point for sure. If either team misses and you get the rebound, you're probably still not able to call timeout, advance it. Let's say, best case scenario, there's like four, three, three and a half seconds and you're not really giving yourself to what you were saying earlier. Like, enough. Enough time.
- [29:16]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Yeah.
- [29:17]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. It's just interesting. And yet they both got shots at the end for Vegas to tie, for the Valkyries to win. So maybe. Maybe I need to reevaluate. I don't know, though. I think I'm trapping one or two times. I'm putting all the pressure on them because, you know, the other thing is. And I've been in the seat, you're up one with 30 seconds. The last thing, you can't be aggressive because you don't want to shoot too fast. And the last thing you want to do is turn it over. So if a team comes and traps you, poof. So I'm doing that. I'm trapping one or two times and then I'm Fallon.
- [29:47]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Yeah. That's what's funny. I was like, you don't. They didn't. They.
- [29:50]
Aaliyah Boston
You.
- [29:50]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
You give yourself chances to turn people over, to do things like that. It was sort of like they just kind of played it out. It's a. The, the. Know, the football analogy would be just kind of like not using your timeouts till the end and just like letting them run the clock down and then hoping that you get the ball back and can kick the. Like move the ball up and kick the field goal fast. But in general, it's like the, the conventional wisdom with football is call the timeouts as early as possible. It's like your, your biggest friend is time.
- [30:20]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Right? Right.
- [30:22]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Yeah. That's what's weird about it.
- [30:23]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I'm definitely going to be asking them. I'm just curious.
- [30:26]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Yeah, that's cool. It'd be cool to see in the next round too, if that continues plays out again.
- [30:30]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [30:30]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Yeah.
- [30:31]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
All right, let's take a look at the current odds to win the WNBA Finals, presented by DraftKings. We've got the Minnesota Lynx at a minus 130 and then it goes aces plus 170. Then you got the Phoenix Mercury at a plus 1400, New York Liberty plus 1500. Indiana Fever plus 8000. If you like to take risks.
- [30:54]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
That might be me.
- [30:55]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Honestly, I think like from an odd standpoint, the best bet might be the aces plus 170. I think that, you know, if they get to the finals, it's really hard to bet against Asia Wilson and the odds are like a tiny bit better. They obviously have to get there though. But yeah, I mean, the Aces, I don't know, I feel like this is a. I think when the Aces look back on this, it's probably the best thing that could have happened. Right? Like having a really difficult, like back against the wall, having to win, having to find a way to win in a game, in a decisive game three, they're going to take that experience, especially coming off that 17 game winning streak. Right. Like then they found themselves in the mud again and they got themselves out and that's going to, they're going to take that with them through the rest of the playoffs. I think Aces might be the best bet given these odds. And then if you're a risk taker, you might go Phoenix Mercury. I don't know. Tommy, you got anything?
- [31:55]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
I'm riding with the fever.
- [31:58]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Okay, I see what you did there.
- [32:01]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
Let it roll. No, I agree with you about the Aces. I don't. I, I. The. I'm not betting against Asia and that. I'm not betting against championship experience. And they also just won 17 games in a row. So, I mean, I know this is a tough series, but that. I think your instinct was correct.
- [32:22]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
There it is. Based on the odds, obviously.
- [32:25]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
My last question before we get to Aaliyah, I wanted, on a broad level, I wanted to get your perspective on the Valkyries after getting, you know, they obviously got eliminated this week, but an incredible season overall. Veronica Burton won most improved now. They won coach of the year this week. Amazing showing from the team amazing showing from the fans. Just a very cool story. I feel like in a very unique thing for a team to build up both success on the court and a community this fast. So I wanted to kind of get your sense on everything there as almost like a wrap up for them.
- [33:04]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, just what a success. I mean, you said it. I really couldn't have said it much better. On the court success, off the court success. I think if I were to pick out one thing right when they look back on this year, the one thing is they've built a culture that's not easy. That's not easy. And they really, they have established something. This is who they are. This is who they're going to be again on and off the court. And so just a lot of respect for what they've built and what they've been able to accomplish. They're setting themselves up because this is a big free agency and I don't know if I'm like 25, 26, I'm a free agent. That's definitely, that place is definitely high on my list.
- [33:49]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
That's a fun place to play. It's a great city with great fans and, and you can be the person to go in and, and win because they haven't, they've never done anything right. You can be the first.
- [34:00]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [34:01]
Tommy Alter (guest analyst/commentator)
So really circle back on that, on that. And.
- [34:06]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah.
- [34:07]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Support for this show comes from DraftKings. The WNBA playoffs are here and the heat is on. Every game, every play and every moment counts. Bet on your favorite teams and stars with DraftKings Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the WNBA. And for a limited time, all new DraftKings customers bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets instantly. Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code BIRD, that's codebird, for new customers to get $200 in bonus bets instantly. When you bet just five in partnership with DraftKings, the crown is yours.
- [34:42]
Aaliyah Boston
Gambling problem. Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York, call 877-8-HOPE and wire text hopeandy467-369 In Connecticut, help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-78-9-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas, 21 and over. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void. In Ontario, bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. For additional terms on responsible gaming resources, see dkng co Audio. Martha listens to her favorite band all the time. In the car, gym, even sleeping. So when they finally went on tour, Martha bundled her flight and hotel on Expedia to see them live. She saved so much, she got her seat close enough to actually see and hear them, sort of. You were made to scream from the front row. We were made to quietly save you. More Expedia made to travel savings vary and subject to availability. Flight inclusive packages are atoll protected. This episode is brought to you by LifeLock. Between two factor authentication, strong passwords, and a VPN, you try to be in control of how your info is protected. But many other places also have it, and they might not be as careful. That's why LifeLock monitors hundreds of millions of data points a second for threats. If your identity is stolen, they'll fix it, guaranteed or your money back. Save up to 40% your first year. Visit lifelock.com podcast for 40% off. Terms apply.
- [36:10]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Okay. Aaliyah, welcome to the show.
- [36:12]
Aaliyah Boston
Thank you.
- [36:13]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
All Star is like a distant memory now. We're past it. But you did get to play in an All Star game in your home city.
- [36:19]
Aaliyah Boston
I did.
- [36:20]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So what was that like?
- [36:21]
Aaliyah Boston
It was so fun. It was so dope. I think the energy, like, the fans, everything that we did, like, fans were able to come and they were able to see us, and I was like, indi shows up. They show up every single time, no problem.
- [36:32]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. What is it about them that they're doing that?
- [36:34]
Aaliyah Boston
Just the best sports, like, I. I don't know any other way to put it, but when it comes to us, when it comes to the pacers, when it comes to sports in general, they show up and they're loud.
- [36:43]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. No, being there, there definitely was just, like, a palpable vibe.
- [36:47]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah.
- [36:48]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
To, like, the whole city. I love that the city's kind of on the smaller side, so everything was convenient. You could, like, get around. But, yeah, the fans really showed up. All right, so you were born and raised in St. Thomas, and we're going to get to, like, what took you from one place to the next. But basketball did take you to Boston, South Carolina, now Indiana. So we've got, like, three different, like, climates, three different cuisines. What was, like, which one was the most difficult to adjust to?
- [37:18]
Aaliyah Boston
Oh, I definitely would probably say Massachusetts, because so when I moved from the islands, I was 12. Right. And obviously the island's small, and I'm, like, just growing up. Then you get to Massachusetts, and it's like, boom, here you go. The first year when I got to Massachusetts, it was like, the worst New England winter that ever. That's ever came through. So I'm like, going to school. It's like one degrees outside. I have a winter jacket. I'm like, I'm used to wearing T.
- [37:44]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Shirts, a bathing suit.
- [37:46]
Aaliyah Boston
A bathing suit and jean shorts and. Are you kidding me? I'm now in a winter coat, going to school. And we would take the bus in the morning. So we're waiting at the bus stop and I'm like, this is actually ridiculous. But I adjusted pretty quickly. But that was probably like, the weather was probably the craziest adjustment.
- [38:02]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. So you got to play there this year during the WNBA season in the summer. So you're good. No park is needed. Did that feel like a homecoming?
- [38:11]
Aaliyah Boston
It did, it did. My entire, like, family came. A lot of my friends that I don't really get to see often were at the game. So I got to see them after, like after the game came out, took pictures and it was just really great because every time we go to Mohegan, they like to make that drive. But I think it was really that it was like a 30 minute drive versus being an hour and some change.
- [38:30]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You see some of the news that there might be a team.
- [38:31]
Aaliyah Boston
I know. I just. I just woke up to that. I was like, this is crazy. But I think honestly, Boston deserves it because of how they show it. Both games that's been in the Garden has been a sellout. Like, and I think when you look at the Celtics even, and the way that they are like that ownership group, like, they are going to want to make sure that Boston is that sports city. And so I'm excited for what's coming.
- [38:52]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
There was also big news announced around that same time you joined the ownership group for Boston fc. Yeah. What was that like? What went into that choice? I'm part of Gotham, so I get it. And I did that when I was still playing. But what went into that decision for you? Why'd you do it?
- [39:06]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, I wanted to be an investor. And I feel like women's sports is just so on the rise and like, as a professional basketball player, like, there's nothing better than investing in women's sports. And so for me, that was on my mind. And then obviously Boston FC was there and I was like, listen, I'm not. I'm not saying anything, but Boston and Boston kind of makes sense. It just made sense. It was a one, two combo punch and I was like, it's just. It makes too much sense not to do it. And I think once again, like, Boston is such a sports city and I think it's just going to Be so great.
- [39:37]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. What I love about your answer is when I first invested in Gotham, it was, I think, my last year, so, like, 2022. And a lot of the people that were asking me questions didn't get the part where it was like, no, this is a good investment.
- [39:52]
Aaliyah Boston
Yes.
- [39:52]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
This isn't, like, out of the goodness of my heart. This isn't just because I love women's sports, is it? Some of that, yeah. Because I believe in all that and whatever kind of like, put my money where my mouth is type of a vibe. But I love your answer because that's exactly what it is. This is a good. It is a great time to get in because it's early and it's a great investment. So that really makes me happy. All right, you got to take me back to St. Thomas. You already mentioned that. It was when you were 12 where you went to Boston, but before that, like, what is it like growing up there? And really, from a basketball standpoint, who first put the ball in your hands?
- [40:23]
Aaliyah Boston
Ooh. So it was definitely my dad put the ball in my hands. They kind of tried us in, like, everything. So my sister and I also played tennis, ran track, cross country. I was actually, like, probably the worst, like, cross country and track runner. So I knew from a very early age that was not gonna be me.
- [40:38]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Cross country's a grind.
- [40:39]
Aaliyah Boston
I was that girl, though, that, like, I sweat a lot, but I hate sweating. So, like, when I was younger, I'd be like, I don't really want to do all that because it's hot. It's hot outside. But my dad definitely put the basketball in our hands. And growing up on the island is, like, now that I think about it, it's just like, kind of crazy. Like, growing up on an island. Like, we played. I played in a co ed league. There were probably about three girls total that played in the league, including my sister. And it's just like, we played against all these guys. Like, we would work out and we would be on outside parks. And, like, it's crazy when you come to the States now. Like, all the gyms are indoors, they're air conditioned. And, like, that's just the normal where, like, every Saturday morning at 6am we're outside on the park working out. Like, the sun is rising and we're sweating and it's hot. But, like, this was the normal. Yeah. And so it's definitely so different compared to up here. Like I always said it, like, when kids play and they get a basketball in their hands from a young age, they're able to do everything. They travel here, they do this, they drive state to state, they compete in all this stuff. And for me, like, that was so far different. Like, we trained, we played in a co ed league, and then my parents would send my sister and I up to basketball camp in the summer for a few months, and that's it. Then you come back and you kind of go through the same routine. Whereas, like, everyone here, like, the opportunities are, like, endless in the States. So I see it now, and I'm like, wow.
- [41:55]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, the opportunity, different. I've seen some pictures of you, like, as a little kid, like, in, like, the team photo. So you were always tall.
- [42:02]
Aaliyah Boston
I was always tall. That's the first thing that comes through. You're always tall.
- [42:05]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You're always tall. Was it like the classic? I think I was talking to Stewie when I had her on. Was it like the classic, You're a post player, like, that's it. Boom, you're tall.
- [42:13]
Aaliyah Boston
That's exactly what it was. That's exactly what it was.
- [42:15]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I mean, listen, it worked out for some. It doesn't. It worked out for you, but, like, yeah, like, what was that experience like? Like, you never got to be a guard.
- [42:21]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, it was when I was younger, like, that was. It was like, back to the basket post. And I feel like that's why right now, like, I always kind of go back as my bread and butter. Like, obviously, like, when it comes to bringing the ball up or, like, shooting the midis or taking threes, like, I feel like all that expanded when I got to college in my comfort level. But even when I was a freshman in college, like, I was pretty much on the block, and that's just where I felt comfortable, and that's where I knew I could do my most damage. And then it was about expanding because Coach Daley was like, listen, you want to get to this league, you're going to have to take. You have to take shots. I remember, I feel like I took my first jumper, like, I don't even know, maybe sophomore year of college, because I was so comfortable just on the block. And not to toot on my own horn, but, like, it was hard for people to guard me there. And so for me, it was like, why? Why change? But that's definitely. That's definitely how it was.
- [43:07]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, the pictures are adorable, but it is, like, all the boy. I think it's pretty much boys, too. Like, all the boys, and then there's me.
- [43:14]
Aaliyah Boston
And it was always funny, like, playing in this league, like, I say it all the time. Like, some of the dads that would be there, they'd be like, don't let her score on you. She's a girl. She's a girl.
- [43:21]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Classic.
- [43:23]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah. That's why I feel like I'm so competitive in the sense, because, like, you can't just. Just cause I'm a girl doesn't mean can't do anything.
- [43:29]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. Yeah. So, like, growing up, were there any, like, players you watched and that, like, stuck out to you?
- [43:36]
Aaliyah Boston
I mean, honestly, I'm big, Candace. Like, and my. My parents actually, like, because we couldn't go up to the states until I really got to high school. And then UConn was right down the road. So my. We'd always go down to, like, UConn games. But just being able. Like, my mom would have the WNBA app. Like, she had the app. She was like, login. She was like, there's a game on tonight. Like, she was always like, listen, you need to watch. You need to watch. And that was from when I was a. When I was younger. And so that's, like, kind of how I really started falling in love with the W. Because I knew I wanted to go to college. Like, I knew I want to do that. And then, like, as I got older, I was like, dang, I want to go to wnba.
- [44:11]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [44:11]
Aaliyah Boston
Like, I want to play professionally. Like, that is so cool.
- [44:13]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. But nobody. I mean, nobody has done that out of St. Thomas. So how does that. How does even going to college. How does that see. Get planted? It was like, going to college for basketball.
- [44:21]
Aaliyah Boston
That is. It was. Honestly, from a young age, my parents used to talk about, we didn't grow up with, like, crazy amount of money. Right. So my parents always talked about, you know, everything. You can use an open door. So for us, it was sports. So, like, we played tennis, we played basketball. My parents. Parents, honestly, they were like, listen, like, pick the one you love the most, and we're gonna grind that out. And that's. That's what she's like, going to college. But coming out college debt free is such an advantage that you don't. You have no idea about right now. And so, like, every time people would ask me, like, oh, what do you want to do? I'd be like, I want to go to college and come out debt free. Like, that was the line I had, because I. I didn't know exactly what it really meant. But I always say I was like, I want to go to college and come out debt free. Like, I'm gonna go to play basketball.
- [45:01]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
And it was like, debt free. Like, it's debt free.
- [45:03]
Aaliyah Boston
Like, I'm like, I don't want to come out with any. Any longer.
- [45:06]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, but I'm gonna be debt free.
- [45:08]
Aaliyah Boston
That's my thing. Do it when you actually, like, when you're growing up and you're like, whoa. Like, this actually makes sense. Like, call.
- [45:13]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
It makes so much sense. I'm like, it's kind of genius. That was like a genius move, planting that in your head.
- [45:19]
Aaliyah Boston
And so that's what I would say every time. And from like, I was like 10, 11, and that's what I would say. And I'm like, yeah. And then when I moved to the States and started getting recruited, I was like, this is possible.
- [45:26]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, we'll talk. Now we gotta talk about the movement. Because that's not. That's not like a small move. Like, I transferred high schools from. I was like 14. So, like, in between my sophomore and junior year, so much older than 12. And I went from, like, Long island to queens. We're talking 45 minutes down the road. Okay. And that was a big adjustment. Like, I remember you're the new kid. It's like all your friends, you're leaving your friends, you're starting this whole new life. And then there's obviously the basketball part of it. So, I mean, what, like, what was that like?
- [45:51]
Aaliyah Boston
Honestly, for me, it was easy because I felt like I was so young that, like, every opportunity was kind of exciting. Like, initially, my sister and I went to the States because we wanted to. We were looking for an AU team. The AU team we found at the moment was like 10 minutes away from my aunt's house. So my mom was like, like, it might help you guys if you guys just kind of stay in the States. And we were like, okay, sure. Like, whatever that means. Sure.
- [46:12]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So initially, how often did your parents come up?
- [46:15]
Aaliyah Boston
They tried to come out, I think, like, twice, Twice a year. But they would come up in the summer and we would do all the AU trips. So every summer, like, they were completely there. But during the season, they tried to come up around my birthday because it's in Dec. So they can catch some games and, like, spend Christmas sometimes if they could, but that's really how it was. And then as I got older, I was like, it's like. So it's just like, yeah, like, this is what I do. I go home like twice a year.
- [46:37]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
This is my life.
- [46:37]
Aaliyah Boston
I live in the States. This is. Yeah, I love it.
- [46:40]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So I spend, like, my winters in Boston and, you know, I get back to St. Thomas when I can actually now, like, fast forward now. Like, how often do you get back?
- [46:49]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, honestly, I try to go twice a year. So I try to go, like, probably right when my season ends for like a week. And then I always. I've been doing a camp, so I go right before our season starts, probably in like March or something. I try to head back and do a camp for the girls down there and spend a few days.
- [47:07]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, well, it sounds like, you know, for those that don't know, the story is you obviously moved to Boston. You move in with your aunt, pretty much spend like middle school, high school, which worked out. You finished high school, like, top three in your class. Obviously you end up with South Carolina. We'll get to that for sure. And it sounds like the transition was, like, it was good. Was there any moments where you felt, I don't know, where you hit an obstacle or you felt discouraged by having to leave home, Having to do, I guess basically having to follow your basketball dream this way?
- [47:36]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, I think the hardest part for me was always around holidays. Holidays were always super hard because my parents couldn't just come up all the time. So Christmas, I think about it now. So we moved with my aunt and my aunt, my cousin Kira. So she was. She was about 8 when I moved up there. And here's an only child, so I always say. I said it since she was born, I was like, she is spoiled. My aunt gives her whatever she wants. Whatever she wants. Kira can throw a tantrum on my aunt's like, it's okay. You're going to be fine. And I'm like, dude, that's not how I grew up. If I'm throwing a tantrum, don't worry.
- [48:08]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I grew up, I had to be debt free. I had a lot I had to worry about.
- [48:12]
Aaliyah Boston
So every time around, like, holidays, and I'd be seeing Kira, like, Kira gets this. I'm like, you don't even need this. I'm like, you're 10 years old. Why do you need a new phone? You're. You're. I'm like. So I would always kind of like project that because obviously I wasn't around my family. Like, we grew up where, like my grandparents, like, they lived with us, so they. We spent Christmas, the entire family, my aunts lived there. So for me, like, that was my biggest adjustment was holidays. But honestly, outside of that, I just felt like this is what I needed to do and like playing basketball as much as I did, like in the season then you really don't really Get a break. And then you go right into au. It's like, basketball took up so much of my time that I didn't really have time to miss anything outside of, like, maybe, like, some social events in, like, high school where I'm like, sorry, I have a game. I have a you. But outside that, I think holidays were probably the biggest thing for me.
- [48:56]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
That makes total sense. I actually was. When we did, when, like, it was me, Stewie Neca, Tate Cooper, Dee Richards. We went down to St. Thomas. That's where we shot our SI stuff.
- [49:08]
Aaliyah Boston
I remember that. So my dad was like, I think I see.
- [49:11]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. Yeah. I was just about to say. I'm like, we met him.
- [49:13]
Aaliyah Boston
I think I see everyone. I'm like, that is literally insane.
- [49:16]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, we were all over that property doing our thing. But, yeah, your dad. So I just remember I have this, like, great memory of your dad just, like, coming. We were, like, eating lunch. He came over, said hi. He's like, I'm a Leah Boston's dad thing. And he was so sweet. So, yeah, just good vibes from. From your family in that way. So you choose South Carolina. Why?
- [49:34]
Aaliyah Boston
Honestly, after all my visits, I was like. I was like, oh, my gosh. I always grew up, like, UConn was right down the road. And then I was like, south Carolina's a little bit. When I prayed on it, seriously, I just felt like Coach Staley was like, that was the place that felt like home. Like, I talk a lot, and I can be a yapper, but, like, when I don't know people, I'm, like, super quiet, like, and I. I'll stay in the corner, and I won't say anything. But when I went on my South Carolina visit, I was, like, yapping, and I was talking, and I was like. I was, like, having fun. I was like, this is crazy. Like, I am not silent. I don't even know these girls, like, at all. And, like, Ty. Ty was my senior, and Ty and Kiki. And I was like, did they host you? Yeah, they. And I was like, this is, like, the best thing ever. And so I knew that when I was done, I was like, listen, this is where I need to be. And Coach Daley was, like, the best, like, my meetings, just talking to her.
- [50:27]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
What makes her a good recruiter, I.
- [50:29]
Aaliyah Boston
Think because she's super honest in the sense of, like, she's not selling you false promises and false dreams. And I think it's super easy. Like, when you're young and you're like, you want to hear all this stuff and I couldn't imagine now with, like, the money that people can be throwing at you and be like, hey, come here. Like, part of me is kind of glad that when I went, it wasn't. It had nothing to do with money, because that's. That changes everyone's perspective. And so what felt right? And Coach Staley, like, just talking to her, like, we'd be on the phone, and she'd be like, oh, did you go to the mall today? Did you go shopping? Like, stuff like that. That kind of just felt like it was more than basketball, especially for me, because I was. I went into college when I was 17, so, like, a little bit younger than some other people. And so it's like I'm finding a whole new home into, like, what feels the best.
- [51:09]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Do you have a Late birthday?
- [51:10]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah. December 11th.
- [51:11]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Okay. I'm October. I was 17 also. You know what I remember about that? For the first. It's October, so I was in school for a month and a half, and there was, like, certain things I. It wasn't that I couldn't do them, but I was, like, a minor, and everybody was, like, very aware of the minor in the dorm room. It was so weird. But, yeah, look at us.
- [51:29]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, look at us.
- [51:29]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Look at us. Late birthdays. We still thriving, and we're making it. You talked earlier a little bit about, like, you know, you were back to the basket. You had to work on, like, extending your range. It didn't come till college. So when you think of yourself entering college and then leaving, like, how would you describe just, like, that journey in general?
- [51:47]
Aaliyah Boston
Ooh, it was, like, such a great journey for me. I think it just shows, like, every year, really, I tried to do something better and be better in something. And so, like, my sophomore year, I felt like it was taking more jumpers, being comfortable not just on the block. And then junior year, kind of just being able to do a little bit of everything. And then senior year, honestly, like, I feel like going into my senior. Coach Staley, she harvested on me. She's like, aaliyah, you need to be a better passer. She was like, listen, when the ball gets on the block, you need to be able to find your teammates if there's a double reading the floor. And I feel like that was my biggest thing before coming into league was understanding, like, okay, I already, like, I see the game. I know the game, but being able to actually make the right pass and not just see it. And so, like, it was. It was a great, like, even tone journey. I feel like, for me, yeah, I'm.
- [52:32]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Really curious about that. How does. Or how did you get better at playmaking? Like, what was that?
- [52:38]
Aaliyah Boston
I honestly think it was just, like, actually trying it. Like, it's because. Because for me, like, I.
- [52:43]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You weren't trying to pass before so much.
- [52:45]
Aaliyah Boston
Cause I'm like, listen, I'll just say we didn't even get it, like, two.
- [52:47]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Feet from the basketball.
- [52:48]
Aaliyah Boston
I don't know why.
- [52:49]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Just give me a bing.
- [52:50]
Aaliyah Boston
I might as well shoot it. Cause if I miss, I could get my own rebound, you know? And so I just feel like sometimes I was like, ooh. Like, I see it, but I don't make the pass. Because it's like, okay, now I have a turnover. Or like, you don't catch it. And so I was like, you know what? Like, you just gotta do it. You just gotta do it. And then it opens up the floor so much more. Because teams aren't just standing right there and they're like, well, we know you're not kicking it out at any point, so.
- [53:12]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, it makes you more dangerous. Yeah, it makes you more dangerous. I mean, honestly, even as like a quote unquote pass, first point guard, in some ways, it's like, a little selfish. I always say. I'm like, when your team's playing great, it's a little selfish.
- [53:22]
Aaliyah Boston
Cause then it opens up my life when I'm passing the ball.
- [53:23]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
It's a little selfish. Cause then it does. It opens things up for myself also. The other, I think, really big part of your game is your footwork. Your footwork around the rim. Your ability to kind of like. I don't know, you kind of have like a. I was about to say ballerina. I don't really mean that, though. But just like, you're lighting your toes and it makes for. So who taught you that? Is that something you just, like, had? Was it developed?
- [53:49]
Aaliyah Boston
Honestly, I don't think anyone taught me it. Like, seriously, I think it just kind of came with, like, watching a lot of basketball and reading. Because, like, obviously you're supposed to see it happening before it happens. And so for me, like, when I get the ball on the block, like, I'm looking already on the pass, so I know I'm gonna have to up fake hard and like, step through and do a bunch of stuff. And so that's kind of where it came from. Like, just seeing, like, okay, this defense is pulling over here and just being a little patient. Cause I feel like a lot of defenders too. Like, the first move, they might stay down. The second move, they're probably going up the third move. They're probably not expecting a third move anyways. And so, like, that's kind of like how I've always thought about it. And so that's just. Yeah.
- [54:27]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
What about, like, your touch around the rim? Is that just something you always had or something you had to work on?
- [54:31]
Aaliyah Boston
That's something I had, but I've worked on it so much because depending on how they're going, like, this year two, I feel like, has been my best year with, like, touch around the rim. And I. And honestly, this, like, off season, like, that's something I worked on a whole lot. Just being able to.
- [54:48]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
How'd you work on it?
- [54:49]
Aaliyah Boston
Just doing, like. Yeah, different moves. Like, trying just different touches from different parts on the floor. Just trying to get it up because, like, obviously it doesn't always have to go in, but I think just being able to try something once again opens up defense. You're gonna have to step up and do a lot of different stuff, but, yeah, just. Just doing it. Like, I go in the gym every single day and I'm working on touch, like, every morning.
- [55:08]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Are you doing, like, miking?
- [55:09]
Aaliyah Boston
I'm doing mikin. I'm doing touch in front of the rim. I'm, like, playing one on one, working on, like, don't finish using this. Don't just.
- [55:16]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, I know it pays off. It pays off. I know it's a grind, but it pay. What about, like, on defense? Just your ability to block shots, especially in college. I didn't know this until I was doing a little research. You had 10 blocks in your very first game. Some people like myself, never have more than two. And like, my blocks are like, when someone's about to shoot it and I get it low and they somehow count it.
- [55:38]
Aaliyah Boston
I hate when guards.
- [55:39]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I hate when guards. Sometimes it's a steal. Every now and then, there's someone out there that gives that. That gives you a block for that. But no, in terms of blocking shots, like, is that also instinctual? Is that something you had to work and train?
- [55:51]
Aaliyah Boston
Honestly, it's kind been instinctual because it's all about, like, I just timing. Like, you just have to look. And obviously sometimes too, like, that's when people can get you up for a second on a shot fake and it would get you. But honestly, it's just timing. I feel like, because I'm a physical post player, like, a bump here and there helps timing. Yeah, obviously, for me. And so just knew, like, I know there's a lot of post players that like to play in space, and that works better for them on blocks. But I'm like, the complete opposite. Yeah.
- [56:16]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Well, it feels like everything offensively and then even defensively for you does have a little bit of just like, naturally you found it. It's instinct. So let's talk about when you extended your range. Cause that sounds like something you had to, like, actually work on and develop. What was that process like?
- [56:34]
Aaliyah Boston
It was definitely hard. I feel like, for me, it was a lot of confidence. I hate it, but I like everything to be perfect. I'm like, listen, you can make every shot because every shot you take, you really should be able to make it. Right. You've worked on it. Right. And so for me, it was just like getting repetition in that, like getting the feel away from the basket. Cause sometimes it's like, okay, don't overshoot it. Don't rush yourself. Don't shoot it short, because now that's hella embarrassing. And so it took a lot of time, but, like, in college too, like, I would be shooting before practice, I'd be shooting after practice, even if I didn't take a lot of them in the game. It was just like, obviously the more you work on it, you're just like, you know what? I'm gonna shoot it. I'll do this. And so for me, it's definitely always been like, just build that confidence up. Especially. Cause post players, especially in college, like, the fives weren't really trying to come out. Yeah, they. You don't have a defensive three seconds, you can sit in the paint. So if you're able to open up the floor and just shoot it now, it's like, okay, well, once you get them on your feet, then you know the world's your oyster.
- [57:29]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
100%. Anytime a post player has range, it changes everything. Actually had Natasha Howard on like a couple weeks, maybe a month ago. Now I'm like, what's today? Months ago. And I told her, playing with her, I was like, tosh, when you hit threes.
- [57:42]
Aaliyah Boston
Yep. Opens up the floor.
- [57:43]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
And the same goes for you when you're hitting outside shots. It's just going to change things for your team. What is it like playing for Dawn? Like, I hear what she's like individually pointing things out. This is what you need for the next level. What's it like playing for her, like, in that team aspect?
- [58:00]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, I love it. You know, I've talked to people and they're like, coach Staley, I feel like, is she, like, super strict? Is she super hard I'm like, guys, Coach Staley is so simple. Like, the earlier you figure her out, which is pretty easy to figure out. She is so simple. All she wants you to do is do what you need to do, and that's come in. And when you're on the court for the three hours, give it everything you have. Like, be focused, be locked in, because she loves to be happy. She loves to vibe, she loves to laugh. Like, we're warming up. She's dancing. She's singing. Like, she's on the ox. But when it comes to basketball, she's like, listen, like, we're here to handle business. And that's that. Like, I feel like that's where everything gets confused, is like, yes, she can be strict, but she's strict on your own. It's like, however you want to do it. You want to go the hard way, then you go the hard way. But she's also that coach that, like, knows exactly what to say to get under your skin, like.
- [58:47]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Cause she played, too.
- [58:48]
Aaliyah Boston
She knows exactly what to say. I don't know how many times, like, whether a game or, like, coming off, and she's like, you know what? You were crappy. And I'm like, girl, we had one time in the Bahamas where I. I think I ended the game literally with a double double, and we won. And she. After the game, she was like, you need to be better. Like, you were. You were awful. You're not gonna. Like, if you're gonna be playing this way, then you're not gonna help us win anything. And I was like, I remember finishing. I remember finishing out of the team meeting, and I went straight to my parents because they were there. And I was like, y' all don't even know what Coach Staley just said to me. I was like, I'm so irritated. I'm like, why would she say that? And then after I left, Coach Staley literally came up to my parents and was like, I want y' all to know I just said a whole bunch of stuff to Aaliyah, and she's probably gonna be so pissed, but I just want you to know that. And so my parents. They didn't tell me that till, like, completely after the fact, but I was like, she knew exactly what to say to, like, turn. Turn it up.
- [59:40]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Just to ask what ended up happening.
- [59:42]
Aaliyah Boston
Well, we. We weren't on a run, and I was like.
- [59:45]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
It's like, there's always a method to that.
- [59:47]
Aaliyah Boston
Like, how did you even know? Like, that's what. Because I'm coming off this game And I'm like, listen, we won. I got a double. Double. Like, what's. What's the problem? And she's like, no, this is not good enough. Yeah, this was. I'm like, dang.
- [59:56]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, well, there's. There's a. Yeah. No, but there's always a method to the madness when coaches do that. You don't always know it when you're, like, 19 years old, but, yeah, there's always a method. And it worked because you guys won a ton. Like, just in the course of years, obviously, you won a national championship, but in the course of your four years, you won a lot. But there was also some disappointment. And I promise I'm gonna talk about the winning, too, but I gotta get into some of the L's.
- [60:21]
Aaliyah Boston
Yes.
- [60:21]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
No, because the L's are what shape you. You know, it's really. For me, anyways. Like, I can think back. It's always those moments. All right, first and foremost, 2020.
- [60:30]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah.
- [60:31]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You guys are number one heading into the tournament. I know. So just. This is more of, like. This is like, a different type of disappointment.
- [60:37]
Aaliyah Boston
I couldn't believe it.
- [60:38]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. So obviously, Covid takes the NCAA tournament away from all of you, but especially you guys. What? Like, what's going on for you?
- [60:47]
Aaliyah Boston
Oh, my gosh. I know.
- [60:48]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
It's hard.
- [60:49]
Aaliyah Boston
They send us home. They're like, we're gonna be home for two weeks. And we're like, okay, well, everyone's doing, like, at home workouts. We're like, running outside. We're like, oh, we're gonna be in shape for when the March Madness comes. And then they, like, send us a text, and they're like, hey, like, we all need to get on this call. They're like, we're canceling March Madness. And I was like, what?
- [61:06]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
That's how I feel about the Olympics, by the way.
- [61:08]
Aaliyah Boston
I was like, there's no way. Like, there's no way. I remember I literally was crying after that, and I was like, this is not real. Like, we had such a good team. And I think it's always so funny. Like, when we see, like, the Oregon, South Carolina, they're like, who is really gonna win this national championship? I always think it's so funny because people were really looking forward. Like, March Madness is always hype, but we were really rocking and on a roll, and I just couldn't.
- [61:32]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
It was gonna be like, a crash course in, like, a good way.
- [61:34]
Aaliyah Boston
Yes. I just could not believe it. I was like, this isn't real. I was like, why would. Couldn't this Happen. Like, I don't know.
- [61:40]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Couldn't have waited.
- [61:41]
Aaliyah Boston
Please, just a second.
- [61:43]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Couldn't have waited.
- [61:43]
Aaliyah Boston
It was, like, two weeks. I couldn't believe. I was so sad. Like, and we. I would. I remember I was, like, watching games and, like, I would send videos. In the group chat, I'm like, this is me practicing my shot for our. For our national championship game. I'm like, right now, we'd be in the natty. Right now, we'd be playing a national championship. But I cannot believe that was, like, one of the moments that, like, it's. Obviously, it was really sad for what was happening in the world, but in the sports world, it was like, dang.
- [62:08]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. Things were.
- [62:09]
Aaliyah Boston
We were so, like, we were right there.
- [62:11]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. I mean, okay, obviously, perspective. What was happening in the world was astronomically more difficult, worse, harder, you name it. But in our little sports world, if we could just stay here for a second, things were also taken away. Right. Like, you guys. You think about Tai and Kiki.
- [62:29]
Aaliyah Boston
Yep. I know.
- [62:30]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Their college careers and the opportunity for them taken away for you. An opportunity for your team. An opportunity. But you did come back the next year.
- [62:37]
Aaliyah Boston
Yep. We did.
- [62:38]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You did get another opportunity.
- [62:39]
Aaliyah Boston
We did. We did.
- [62:40]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Which ultimately did end poorly for you guys.
- [62:43]
Aaliyah Boston
It sure did.
- [62:43]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
We got the cry meme.
- [62:44]
Aaliyah Boston
It sure did. Oh, my God. I want you to know that cry meme was the most frustrating thing. I was like, listen, I get it. Every commercial doesn't have to have it. Marsh Madness is happy. People do win. People do win. It's okay to show that. It's okay to show someone smiling. I actually think I had, like, every time I saw a commercial, I was like, oh, my gosh. I'm about to see myself crying again. Like, are they serious?
- [63:07]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
But maybe is there a part of you now that can look back and almost, like, the same way dawn, like, got on you. And there was, like, something about that that, like, propelled you. After seeing that, did that, like, give you.
- [63:20]
Aaliyah Boston
No, it really did. Motivation. It gave me motivation in the sense that, like, I don't ever want to see myself crying on TV like that because I felt like one. It was overkill. I get it. We lost. Thank you. I understand. But it was like, every time someone basically saw our team, that was the image. It was like Aaliyah crying after a missed putback, and I'm like, that's not really what I ever want to see again. And so that was kind of. My mindset was like, this is how I have to turn the page, because every question I had in media, I swear, for that entire year was like.
- [63:49]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
They love reminding you.
- [63:51]
Aaliyah Boston
Coming back after missing the putback, I'm like, dude, we're. We're 15 games into the season. Great. Let's just hoop. Great. Like, and so that was kind of my mindset was I won't be denied in that sense of, like, missing a shot that I would make on average. Like, that's just not what I'm going to do. And so that was my mindset going into that season.
- [64:10]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, definitely. And, you know, spoiler alert, you win, we win, and you head into your junior year, you've got all of this that's happened the two years before. I totally get how this is, like, motivating the two years prior. What do you think about your confidence change? I feel like watching you, there was, like, a difference in your confidence.
- [64:28]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, I was just ready to go.
- [64:31]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I was like, enough is enough.
- [64:32]
Aaliyah Boston
I was like, enough is enough. Like, I'm leaving here with a Natty. Like, we are winning a championship because we had a great squad. Like, we were too good. Like, we had, like, athletic post players. Like, we had guards that could score the ball. It's like, we have everything we need, and it's just about putting the pieces together. And, like, we did it. We really did it. And it was like, the best season ever.
- [64:53]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Liked, like, what clicked for you guys that year?
- [64:56]
Aaliyah Boston
I. I don't even know, because that year, what. We lost two games. I remember we lost to Mizzou and then we lost Kentucky. And I just remember, like, I think they were. When we lost were like, great wake up calls for us. But honestly, we were just determined to win. Like, that was our motivation. Every single day was like, yo, we are coming out of here with a Natty. Like, coming off of losing the year before and then having the same squad. Yeah, it's like, you. You made it that far. And then we added Camila that year, like, yeah.
- [65:22]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
What? I know the two of you.
- [65:26]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah. Yeah.
- [65:27]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Another, like, huge win during that time is nil.
- [65:30]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah.
- [65:31]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Enters the picture. Oh, when did, like, what's your first memories of those early nil deals? Like, when did it hit for you?
- [65:37]
Aaliyah Boston
Deal. I think probably after my first deal. I was like, whoa, this is. I was like, this is like. I was like, this is pretty cool. I was like, is this even real?
- [65:47]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [65:47]
Aaliyah Boston
Like, you go in a space from, like, when they tell you, like, you can't accept a burger from a free place or else it's like a crime. And I'm like, dang, a girl can't get a free meal.
- [65:56]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Can I get a smoothie?
- [65:58]
Aaliyah Boston
And now they're paying you crazy money to post a picture and smile and be in a commercial. I'm like, this is insane.
- [66:05]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Was it hard to adjust to, though? Because the things I heard, like, outside was like, oh, people were worried that, like, oh, it's gonna cause drama on teams when this player's getting that and this player's getting it. So just, like, in general, was it hard to adjust to?
- [66:16]
Aaliyah Boston
Not for our squad. Honestly. Like, we didn't talk about money. We didn't talk about anything about, like, our team. We did not. Like, like, the players within the players, like, Coach Staley. Like, they set up meetings for us to talk to financial advisors, talk to stuff like that. Like, had our parents in meetings, whatever you needed. But, like, our squad, we talked about nothing. Not a dime, not a commercial. Like, when you saw it, you saw it. And I think for us, that was better for us, because it's so easy to say, like, oh, I'm not gonna compare myself to the person next to me. But when you're sitting here and you're like, dang, they're in a commercial. Dang. What are they.
- [66:45]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Dang.
- [66:45]
Aaliyah Boston
Is that much money back? Damn.
- [66:46]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Because I'm sure people were walking in the locker room looking different, and you're like, wait a minute.
- [66:50]
Aaliyah Boston
Hold on.
- [66:51]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I see those earrings. What's going on over here?
- [66:53]
Aaliyah Boston
So that's. That's how we were. Which, honestly, I think it just worked great for us. And then you see other people, and you're like, I love this for us. So that was kind of like, my experience. I was like, I don't care how much I'm getting paid. If you're getting paid, too. That's how it should be. Like, this is a new space for everyone. Like, everyone should be making their bag as much, especially, like, for players that most of their capitalization is probably going to come in college and not in the league. So it's like, listen, take advantage. Like, make all your money. Save it, Invest it. Like. Like, be smart with it. And I feel like, honestly, sometimes that's where kids are. Like, messing up is, like, the being smart. Just because you make it don't mean you have to spend it, right? And, like, for me, like, that's how I was. Like, I didn't spend, like, any of my money. Like, I. I'm just a saver. And I'm like, listen, like, you never know. I just need a whole. Like, this is college. Like, I don't need it. I Get what's our, like, monthly check? Like, I get. What do I need to spend all that money for? All I do is, like, buy food. That's it.
- [67:49]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Like, well, I mean, that speaks, I think, a lot to what we've already talked about. About just, like, your. And childhood and growing up and having that mindset. I remember talking to you. Remember we had, like, we did, like, that thing on together where we talked about Nil. And I was always, like, really impressed, and it really left an impression just how dawn did, like, bring you guys, whether it was you, your advisors, your parents, and kind of like, I don't.
- [68:11]
Aaliyah Boston
Know, she just, like, she tried to lay that foundation. Like, listen, this is how you go about having a lot of money and making money, because it's so easy to think. Like, well, I make it so I can just buy this. I can just buy that. And it's like, well, for first of all, Uncle Sam is coming. He will be knocking on the door. And people forget that. They're like. They see it now, and they're like, oh, that's fine. Okay.
- [68:33]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Half of that's gone.
- [68:34]
Aaliyah Boston
Wait till he's coming. And he's like, hey, put it right here.
- [68:38]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, but, yeah, so I was always taken by, in a really positive way, by Don helping you and helping your team in that moment. What's it like? Cause I feel like outside looking in again, you've got Don as, like, a coach, Don as a recruiter, a motivator. But then you graduate, and you also have Don, like, as a person in your corner.
- [68:59]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah.
- [68:59]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So just talk about that relationship.
- [69:00]
Aaliyah Boston
It's great. Honestly, like, after a game, stuff, like, I. I can call her. I FaceTime her all the time. I'm like, hey, girl. She's like. I'm like, what's up? And we kind of just talk. Like, we talk hoops. We talk about life and just, like, being able to have someone that, like, was a second mom, too. Like, I say, like, when I got to college at 17, like, I talked to my mom a lot, but sometimes I'd be in coach, coach office just crying. I'm like, girl, I don't know what's going on. And she's like, leah, it's okay. Like, it's. You're gonna figure it out. Like, whatever it is, you're gonna figure it out. Like, it's gonna be okay. But now, like, being out, being able to, like, talk to her really about, like, anything, it's just great because, you know, her mind, like, her mind. She's a basketball, like, guru like, she knows everything. Like, everyone loves her, and that's what she is for me still. Like, we get on the phone, even, like, Coach Boyer. I text Boyer all the time.
- [69:43]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I love.
- [69:43]
Aaliyah Boston
I text Boyer after every game. I'm texting Boyer and I'm like. I'm like, boyer. What? I'm like, what did I do today? Like, what was wrong? She's like, aaliyah, it's okay.
- [69:54]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, that's super dope to still have that. Yeah, that's a good connection. So you actually leave, technically a year of eligibility on the table, but you do declare, quote unquote, after four years for the draft. We all know the rest. When did you find out you were going number one?
- [70:10]
Aaliyah Boston
I kind of figured out because, you know, like, when you're people talking, they're like, oh, well, I had meetings with so and so's team. I had meetings with so and so team. And I was like, anybody had no meeting with me. Like, I talked to Indiana. I was like, okay, no one else is meeting. So this is probably. This probably means that. But it's still, like, I couldn't fully accept it until actual draft night when I heard my name called.
- [70:30]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So, like, did anyone, like, I don't know, like, text you, give you a heads up, like, hey, this is happening. So even though it wasn't surprise, the first time you're hearing your name is the first time you know.
- [70:40]
Aaliyah Boston
No. Yeah.
- [70:41]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Okay.
- [70:41]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah.
- [70:41]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So that's how my experience was. I think that was the best way. Cause I've heard other people, like, they get a text.
- [70:45]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah.
- [70:45]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
And they're like, hey, you're gonna go at five or you're gonna go at this or this team.
- [70:48]
Aaliyah Boston
No.
- [70:49]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So I love that. It makes it, like. I don't know. It makes it special.
- [70:51]
Aaliyah Boston
I'm sitting there and I'm like, like, please call my name. Please call my name. Please call my name. Please call my name.
- [70:54]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
The rest of us were like, just say it. We already know. Just say it. Had you ever been to Indiana at that point?
- [71:02]
Aaliyah Boston
No.
- [71:03]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Did you know anything about.
- [71:04]
Aaliyah Boston
I knew nothing about.
- [71:05]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
About the city. About the organization.
- [71:06]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, I knew about organization, but I just never been to Indy. And so when I first got there, I was like, they had, like, all the billboards.
- [71:12]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. What were your first impressions?
- [71:13]
Aaliyah Boston
I was like, this is so cool. Like, I couldn't believe that I was, actually, like, in the league. Like, I. I was done with college. I was about to graduate. I'm like. I'm like a girl.
- [71:23]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You went from watching, like, the app in St. Thomas to being in the league there. That's crazy. Did you have, like, are you like a vision board person, A goal oriented? Okay, so what were your goals? I don't mean, like, your whole career. I just mean you get there. You're a rookie. You're approaching your first season. What are some of the goals?
- [71:42]
Aaliyah Boston
Honestly, my first goal was to be the rookie of the year. I wrote that down. And. And then after that, I really didn't know what to write. I was like. I was like, I don't. I already put so much pressure on myself, but I felt like winning rookie of the year was the goal that I had because of how much criticism I was taking in college. And, like, when I first got to league and even in the preseason games, like, everyone was just crapping on me and I was like, dang, I'm like, two days into the league, Give me a second. The first person I guarded was Tierra McCow, tough. And then Bree Jones. I'm like, give me a second. And so I've always been someone that likes to prove people wrong. And, like, if you say something, I will literally go out of my way to make sure you know that you're incorrect. It's like, I can't help it. And so for me, that was my. I was like, I am writing down rookie of the Year. And, like, I like, being an all Star was, like, shocking. First of all, I didn't know, like, that was, like, crazy big when, like, all the possible.
- [72:36]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [72:37]
Aaliyah Boston
I was like, this is kind of.
- [72:38]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Like you were, at that point, only the eighth rookie to get voted in as a starter.
- [72:41]
Aaliyah Boston
I was like, this is the history of crazy. Yeah. And I just, like, honestly, I wrote down, like, I just wanted to be, like, the best version of me. Like, my rookie season was hard because obviously I go from college, where I lost nine games total, to. We lost a lot of games that season. And I. 27.
- [73:00]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Sorry, I don't know.
- [73:02]
Aaliyah Boston
And I just remember before I even came to college, like, we all had a meeting with coach Daley on telling her if you wanted to use your extra year or not. And I remember when I went in there to have my meeting, I was like, coach, like, I think I'm ready to go. And she was like, aaliyah, I think you are too. And she was like, but I want you to know, like, being in the league is different. You can lose a game and everyone's going to be like, oh, what are we doing tonight? Are we going to, like, go grab some food? I'm like, I lose A game. And I'm like, what did I do? Why did I miss a shot? How did I do this? And so my rookie season, like, half. I swear, half the games, I'm, like, on the phone in the back of the bus. Like, I still sit in the back of this. Like, that's my seat. And I'm like. I'm like, what? I'm, like, crying. I'm like, please, I can't. Like, why am I not doing it? And they're like, aaliyah.
- [73:40]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
But do you also go out to eat, though? Because I feel like I did, but now I'm so. I feel like being a proud. Just being able to do both.
- [73:48]
Aaliyah Boston
Yes. And I figured that out. I figured out last year was a lot better. This year is definitely better. But my rookie season, it hit me like a truck. All the lows were hit. I was like, why are we losing? Like, what am I doing wrong? Like, I'm in the back. Like, I'm freaking out. I'm, like, on the phone with Boyer. I'm like, boyer, I can't. Like, what if I'm not like, what? And she's like, leah, it's okay. You're a rookie.
- [74:08]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You were not only a rookie. You were the number one pick. Do you know what that means? They were probably not that good before, and sometimes you get lucky and maybe you team up. And I feel like that's kind of if we fast forward it for a second. Yeah, like, get the number one pick the next year. Caitlyn, like, you team up with people, but generally speaking, when a team has the number one pick.
- [74:24]
Aaliyah Boston
I know, but I couldn't process it in the moment. I was like, what. What is happening? And they're like, aaliyah, you have to move on. Like, you have a game in two days. Like, you can't. You can't harp on something. And this year, it's, like, so much better. Like, I feel like this has been my best year all around in, like, processing losses, too. Like, listen, you lose, you're like, damn, now I gotta go back and watch that on film. But, like, I'm okay. We have another game. Like, it's okay. But that rookie season, I was like, there's nothing worse than this game I'm in right now. Like, how do I get over it? I don't know, but I know it's.
- [74:54]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Almost like you gotta find the other ways that you're winning, in a sense.
- [74:59]
Aaliyah Boston
Seriously.
- [75:00]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I had a very similar experience my rookie year in that the first time we lost, I came in the locker Room, like, upset, like, throwing shit and being, like, looking around like, nobody's doing this. And all they're saying is, like, yo, where you wanna go eat? Yo, I think this place closes in. Like, what do you mean? Yeah, I couldn't understand.
- [75:18]
Aaliyah Boston
We just lost. What do you mean? Like, we need to go back and look at this game right now. Go rewatch it right now. Because something. Something is wrong. And they're like, no, we'll do it tomorrow. That's fine.
- [75:28]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
We're good. It'll be weird. I know. I learned that quick, too. But a big difference is I didn't lead the league in field goal percentage my rookie year, which is basically the first time and only time that's ever happened. So I hear that this part might have been the biggest adjustment. So what translated and allowed you to have, you know, you led the league in field goal percentage. So you had success your rookie of the year?
- [75:51]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, I always. I said this, like, before in the sense of, like, when you come into the league, I don't think your first year has to be changing who you are. And I feel like that can be the mindset of some people. It's like, I come into the league, oh, shoot. I don't. I didn't really shoot threes in college, but I'm gonna come out here and I'm gonna shoot every other three I catch. That's not what it was for me. Like, I came in the league and I was like, listen, I am a dominant low post player, and that's what my focus is. Like, I'm gonna get the ball on the block and I'm going to. I'm going to work. That's what I'm going to do. Like, I didn't try to do anything else. I didn't try to all of a sudden just shoot threes and shoot all these jumpers. I was like, I know why they saw me as a number one pick. I know what my reason is, and that's what I'm gonna come in to do. And then obviously, then the next year, it's like, okay, shoot a little bit more. Do this. And now my third year, it's like, you can do a little bit of everything. So that was my. I was like, don't change who you are because it's a new league.
- [76:44]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
But was it hard? You already mentioned you went up against T. McCowan, like, game one, Bree Jones.
- [76:49]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, I know.
- [76:49]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
That was every game. That's every rookie I've interviewed. Or not every rookie. Sorry. Every player that's talked about their rookie year. That's been, like, pretty much the consensus. It's like, oh, now you get to the wnba, and it's like, this person. This person, this person every night.
- [77:01]
Aaliyah Boston
And that's how I felt because I was like, there's no way I'm going from big T to Re Jones to Asia. I'm like, hold on.
- [77:11]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
They're all different.
- [77:12]
Aaliyah Boston
Like, I just remember, like, all different problems. All different problems. Like, I can't let someone bury me. But then this person likes to take me off the dribble. But then this person shoots every shot. It's like, hold on. Give me a second. I remember all my. My very first games against, like, all the bigs was so crappy, but by the second game, I was like, I got it. Like, playing against jj, I'm like, hold on.
- [77:35]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Well, that's when you learn. I think another thing about being a professional is you learn. Defense is physical. Obviously, it is so much more mental, Especially in a of lot league this small.
- [77:44]
Aaliyah Boston
It is.
- [77:44]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You know what I mean? Where you're seeing all the same people all the time. You have to learn.
- [77:48]
Aaliyah Boston
Yes. How to steal one here and there. Like, you got to figure it out. And that's how it was. But the very first games against all them, I felt like I was like, in a trans. I was like, help me. Help me. Someone come and help me. Because I watched a lot of film, I swear, but it's not looking like it. Yeah.
- [78:03]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
No. It's hard. So the bad news is you don't make the playoffs.
- [78:06]
Aaliyah Boston
Yep.
- [78:07]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
But the good news is you get the number one playoff, and that obviously becomes Caitlin Clark. What are, like, your. She joins the team. What are some of your early impressions of her?
- [78:16]
Aaliyah Boston
I thought she was super nice. I think it's always weird when you're used to competing in someone.
- [78:20]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So that's my next question. That's part of my next question, actually, so you might as well just get into it.
- [78:24]
Aaliyah Boston
That year, I was like. I forgot. We were, like, doing something. We had some meeting. I was like, kaylin, I just want to say I'm, like, really upset that you did what you did in that final four game. I was like, I feel like I just need to get it off my chest because we are teammates. But I'm like, you didn't have to do all that. Like, you did not have to go for 40 on our dome. Like, girl, we could have just had fun. But after that, it was, like. It was, like, cool, because obviously now we're on the same team. So you don't worry about that. But I always thought it was funny because I'm like, we just went from competing against each other, you beating us, and now we're on the same team. It's like, I was like, girl, it's okay. I get it. I'm not mad at you for real. But I am, because, like, why would you do that?
- [79:04]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
That just gets that right there. Always happens in the early years, like first and second year. You're like, oh, my God. For me, it was Tennessee. UConn, Tennessee. So it was always like, oh, my.
- [79:13]
Aaliyah Boston
God, this is so bizarre.
- [79:15]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I'm like, I kind of hate you. But then, like, you get older, and then it's like, who cares?
- [79:20]
Aaliyah Boston
Who cares?
- [79:20]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
If anything, Like, I remember joking. There was at one point I had, like, in like, a two year span, there was like, four or five different players whose, like, season I either was a part of ending or careers in college that I was a part of ending. And then, you know, I turn around, I'm on the Olympic team with Ruth Riley, and she ended one of my seasons. And so it's just like, this is the world we live in, and it's not that big of a deal. I love that you went right.
- [79:44]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, no, I did.
- [79:45]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Right to the source.
- [79:46]
Aaliyah Boston
I was like, girl, did the thing.
- [79:48]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Made the joke, moved on. That's really what it is.
- [79:50]
Aaliyah Boston
And then you kind of just move on. You're like, listen, we're on the same team now, so let's whoop some butt. Let's do it.
- [79:55]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
100%. All right. So the quote unquote Caitlin Clark effect is definitely real. I think we all feel it in our unique ways.
- [80:02]
Aaliyah Boston
100%.
- [80:03]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah. How did you experience it? I know early on you talked about logging off social media. What did you just learn in that period of time? And by the way, the social media aspect is not Caitlyn's fault. No, no, no. It's like. But what did you learn just, like, in that period of time?
- [80:17]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, I mean, everyone, like, loves. Everyone loves Caitlyn. They love watching Caitlyn. And so I think that just brings so much eyes. And I think for our league, that's great. Like, that is great for us. You have so many people coming in. They're watching. Like I always say, like, they might come in for Kailyn and they leave and they're like, dang, this girl's a Hooper, too.
- [80:33]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [80:33]
Aaliyah Boston
Oh, I like her. Like, you're seeing it. Like, everyone says it, and I think you just kind of embrace that. And when it comes to Social media, like, obviously it's just people. A lot of it too can be people that are trolling. A lot of people, people are talking. But for me it's like I am someone that already puts so much pressure on myself. And so for you to come in and tell me, like, dang, you're like the worst person I've ever seen in my life. It's like, you know what, hear me out. I'm going to leave. Yeah, you can say I'm going to exit. I am going to exit. Because at the same time too especially I feel like we weren't giving that we weren't from the social media viewers. I'll say we weren't given that grace period of like getting to play with someone like that you've never played with. Like I. The way we played the year before, lot different. The way we play with Kaitlyn, completely different dynamic. So for me it's like finishing some of those pocket passes that I might not have gotten before, like finishing on some of these different shots and I'm like, I'm like, guys, we're learning. And then I also feel like, like people also. I forgot or choose to chose to ignore the fact that like this was my second year. I'm not a six year pro. I'm not even a five year pro now.
- [81:43]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [81:44]
Aaliyah Boston
Like I'm in my third year and that wasn't given. I feel like it's obviously like you're like, well, this is a professional sport and people are going to say what they want to say. And I'm like, that's cool too. But at the same time, just understand that when you are, when people are placed on a New Testament team, give them a second, they have to figure it out because right now everyone's like, oh my gosh, you and Kaylin have figured out such a good, huh. I wonder why. Maybe it's because we've, we've gotten a good amount of games under our belt and we've actually had time to practice and gel together and work on stuff. I don't know, sometimes that's just how things work.
- [82:16]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Well, you guys do compliment each other.
- [82:18]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah.
- [82:18]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
And I hear you that it takes time. But like, what do you think it is about each of your games that works well, like mostly in the pick and roll.
- [82:24]
Aaliyah Boston
We'll talk pick and roll. I think, I think honestly one like Caitlin, the attention she gets, right? Like teams are like up. Like if they're, if they're under and dropped, that shot's going up because I'm gonna set a Good screen. That shot's going up, and she's getting it. And then it's like, okay, well, now I'm gonna step up. And she's just a phenomenal passer. Like, her angles, like, she knows exactly where to get it. Like, the way she sees the floor, I think is great. And then for me, it's always. Like, I'm always gonna get in her pocket because I know that she's looking to pass that ball, and she wants to get us in the best position. And so for me, it's like, okay, well, I'm looking at your eyes. So once I see your eyes, I'm there. You don't have to say anything.
- [82:57]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I'm to going, what do you think? Looking back on that season. So last season was one of the biggest misconceptions of the Indiana Fever. Like, maybe it was like, locker room stuff. I feel like early on, oh, my gosh.
- [83:11]
Aaliyah Boston
That. Oh, my gosh, there was so much locker room talk.
- [83:16]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
And everybody I talked to were like, we vibe we're good.
- [83:19]
Aaliyah Boston
I was like, what are we talking about? Like, it's so easy for people to just make all these assumptions. So people are like, oh, my gosh, her body language. She was not happy. She hates this entire thing. Squad. I don't know. Sometimes when you have a bad game personally, that takes a toll on you. Yeah, it's not that you don't like the team. It's not you. But that takes a toll on you. Every single night we come out, we want to play good. And so, like, all the time, there are locker room talks. I forgot. What was the conversation? One time I woke up from my nap getting ready to go to pregame. People are like, oh, they hate each other. They hate each other. We walked in the locker room, we're like, girl, you good?
- [83:49]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah.
- [83:49]
Aaliyah Boston
I'm like, I just woke up. I can tell you what's happening right now, but all I know is we about to hoop at 7pm we got a game, and that's that. Like, I hate when people get into this whole talking about what they think our locker room is like and what they think. I'm like, first of all, you're not in here, so you have no idea. And also, we're professionals, so we want you to see something. You'll happily see it if we don't. I guarantee you, you would never know there's a single problem. Why? Because that's. That's none of your business. And we have more priorities, and that's winning 100%.
- [84:17]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Agree. Okay, so you make the playoffs? Yep. What did you learn from that playoff run? Like, obviously, it was. It was a quick one, but usually I'm not even. We all have the quick ones. It's not a dick. No, but it was. It was. It was just the first round. What did you learn from it?
- [84:34]
Aaliyah Boston
It's like, we say it all the time in our season now. Like, margin of error is so small, but when you're going up against a squad that has vets that have been in playoffs that have won, it's like, they know. Exactly.
- [84:47]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Did you feel a jump in.
- [84:48]
Aaliyah Boston
There was. There was a jump in intensity and energy. Isn't it crazy? It's insane. Like, the very first game when we played against Connecticut, like, it was close, and then they kind of just. They took it and they ran with it. And then the second game, it was like, we were right there. Like, we were right there. And then I feel like their just. Their. Just how many bets they had on that squad, and their experience was like, it just. They. They got. They picked something off here. They did this. We missed the easy shot probably because we're like, oh, my gosh, I need to make the shot. Missed the easy shot. It's like that experience that we didn't have, like, definitely showed, especially in that second game, because honestly, I think if we had brought it back to Indy, we were gonna get it. No, we were, because we had just beat them at. At home. So it's still one of those. That's like, dang. If we could have just gotten to that third game, I think we really would have came out and just went bananas. But I think it was a great experience for us. And obviously, like, this year now, too, we're like, listen, playoff run. Like, we need that. You feel it now. You're like, I need more.
- [85:45]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So entering year three for you, which is this year. Yep. As you said, it's a lot of change.
- [85:51]
Aaliyah Boston
Yes.
- [85:51]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You have a coaching change. You have a ton of. It's a big free agency year for you guys. And really overnight, what that big free agency year was or big change was, was expectations change.
- [86:03]
Aaliyah Boston
Yes.
- [86:04]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So you guys went from, like, this up and coming where it's like, you're getting to know each other to now. It's like, oh, they could win the whole thing.
- [86:09]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah. Yeah.
- [86:10]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So what was the experience of essentially becoming, like, instead of being the hunter, you're now the hunted.
- [86:16]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, it's. It's crazy, but I feel like it was definitely expected. I think, number one, like, just last year, everyone, like, when they see our name on the schedule, even though the year before we didn't win, like, we won 13 games or whatever it was. And it was like, okay, well, but then you added in Caitlin, right? And everybody's like, oh, like, we're. They're going to be this, this, and this. And now everybody's, oh, you know what? We're going to prove? You are like, hell, no. Like, that's what it is. And then this year, too, obviously, we go in the free agency and everybody's like, yeah, like, they got for us. We always think, like, you have to approach every season with, like, we're winning this whole season. So that was our mindset. And I think when you look at expect, once again, expectations come from everyone outside because, like, in our circle, we know exactly what we want to do. We also understand that it's a process. We understand that new faces, new coaches, like, different style play for people joining us, it's like, people need time to figure it out once again. But when you do figure it out, it's going to be scary. And I feel like that's what it was for us, and that was our approach, and we're still like, listen, we are coming here to win this thing. Like, that's what it is. And that's not going to change no matter what, because you want to win. You're a competitor, you want to win. And that's just how we approach everything.
- [87:21]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So this year, along with the initial change, it's just been, I mean, a frustrating year with injuries, not just to Caitlyn, but obviously to Caitlyn. DB ultimately ends up leaving. And so that, you know, we already talked about how you need time to gel. You need time to build chemistry. So how frustrating has it been that the chemistry is just. It's like, start, stop, start, stop.
- [87:42]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah, it was. It's definitely been a struggle, but I think, think just at the start of the season, too, like, you know, you have your start of the season meetings and you're talking, and for us, it was about, listen, like, no matter what happens in the season, it's next woman up, and you have to be ready. And I feel like obviously struggling with injuries, and then, you know, you sign people and then they. They leave. And it's like, listen, like, whoever is next, be ready to be ready to play, because it doesn't matter. Like, the games still keep coming. Like, you still have to be ready to compete. And that's why I was so happy, like, when we signed Arie. Yeah, I felt like that was, like, amazing. For us because obviously we couldn't predict C being out for this long at least. And so it's like having someone in that runs the point. Well, can call her own number, I think, honestly, has been like our biggest blessing. Obviously now with bibs, like she's coming in, she's able to stretch the floor. It's like, I think no matter what, everything is for a reason, right? And that's kind of our focus is listen, like whatever happens, happens. But whoever's here in our circle, listen, like we're here to hoop and that's how we're gonna play. And so I feel like that's just been our approach. Like it hasn't been perfect. There's definitely been injuries here and there, but hey, we still got bodies and we're gonna play.
- [88:50]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Yeah, yeah. No, I mean it is. Obviously you never want people to get injured, but the reality is you have to have that mindset and it gives other people opportunity and then you hope ultimately you're all better for it when the injured players come back. But I'm curious specific to Caitlin being on the floor, off the floor. And I saw you talk on your own podcast about like the spacing and how different. But when you're entering a game, like your mental prep, how does it change? Because it is. It's two different systems essentially.
- [89:18]
Aaliyah Boston
It is. Honestly, like when C is on the floor, I'm like, listen, be ready to run, be ready to get out, be ready. Because she's looking, she's looking. She wants to play fast super early in the offense and like we do that too as well here. But I think sometimes too now with, without her, like, we can get into like a little more half court execution, make the defenses work a little bit harder. First side, second side, third side. And then I think when you have have like Kelsey, when Kelsey's playing a transition, get that ball up to her, make her. I'd have never seen like, she is unbelievable. And then when is in those shoes in screens, it's like, what are you.
- [89:52]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Doing bouncing all over?
- [89:52]
Aaliyah Boston
She is, she is moving. She's making the right read. She's. And it's like, listen. And she's scoring the ball at a very high level. And so I think, you know, it's a little bit both. Like once again, like when C's on the floor, like she's looking to get up. People can be like, listen, I don't, I don't need to outlay cuz I know once we rebound, we're getting it. But I also think it Once again, it's like, puts people on their toes because they're like, whoa, I. I need to. I need to find Kelsey in transition. I need to find Arie now. Like, we gotta find Sophie and Lexi knocking down threes. Like, it. It's different, but I think everyone is once again finding their own rhythm and that we just did a great job of, like, putting it all together. Yeah.
- [90:25]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
You've already mentioned some of the vets we've brought up. Natasha Howard, Kelsey Mitchell. Sophie Cunningham's on the team now. Sid Colson. You win the Commissioner Cup. That's obviously nice. Nice little patience there. But what is impact has having more vets on the team? Because that's a little different from your first two years.
- [90:42]
Aaliyah Boston
Yeah. No, seriously, I think it's been great. Seriously, it's been a blessing for me. It was crazy. We were just talking to about this on the. On the plane ride over here, and I was like, listen, like, it's great to have you guys, because, like, we're young, young players, and, like, sometimes we still have that mindset of, like, oh, my gosh, I need to be perfect. Like, I need to. And having vets, like, Tosh and Sid, like, honestly, like, I know everyone thinks Sid, like, like the comedic person, like, so funny. But I think getting to know Sid and who she is, she's like, the best person for any locker room and for our locker room. Like, she knows exactly what to say. She knows exactly how to say it, how to be in your ear and just continuously talking to you, and it's just like, it's perfect. I told her. I was like, listen, I hear you talking sometimes I'm, like, trying not to crash out internally, but I promise I'm hearing what you're saying. Like, I. I really am. And I. And I think just having those vets, like, vets that know how to win, but also know how to, like, tell you, like, you're good, you're good. This is. It's. It's a process, the journey. Not every game is going to be great, but keep shooting. And I feel like that's like, how we've been with each other is that mindset. Like, every shot you take, be confident in it.
- [91:47]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
So you're averaging this year career best at, like, 15, basically 15 and a half points. And I would say part of your identity is, like, this consistency, right? Like, whether it was in college. And listen, I hear you. As a player, you don't realize, like, what consistency is because you're living the highs and lows of each game.
- [92:06]
Aaliyah Boston
Each season.
- [92:07]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
But yeah, yeah, I think I'm learning that about you. So part of your consistency, we've seen, like, there was a stretch. You had four double doubles in a row. Your team was winning those games against Phoenix, which was a big win in the moment of that season, a big win. You had had five points heading into the fourth quarter. Tight game. I think you're up, like, one or two, and then you end up scoring, like, 14 straight 17 in the quarter. You finish with 22 and 12. Like, that's another version of consistency. You know, it doesn't always have to look perfect. How are you this consistent?
- [92:40]
Aaliyah Boston
I honestly, honestly, I think it's just been, like, hearing people talk to me and, like, hype me up and tell me, listen, you're good. Like, I. I know I said it, but I hate missing shots. Missing shots is so frustrating because, like, why. And especially for me, being a post player, like, missing shots around the rim is my biggest frustration. Because it's like, I work on this. I work on finishing different moves, different things. Like, why. Why did I miss that shot? You know what I'm saying? And so that's what it's been for me. And, like, my teammates are like, listen, you're. This is about you. Like, you got this. You got this. Like, Kelsey and I do this thing, like, especially if we're having, like, kind of, like a rough shooting night where I trust you. The next, like, this court is yours. These five minutes is yours.
- [93:27]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
I know you and Caitlin love each other. Everybody knows you and Caitlyn love each other. Is that what you still saying that? Yes.
- [93:31]
Aaliyah Boston
Yes. You're gonna be amazing.
- [93:33]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Cause you are amazing. That's what it is. That's what it is. Earlier I asked you about, like, vision board stuff or, like, if you do that, goals coming in, and you were like, my rookie year, I knew rookie of the year, but I didn't really know what else to put. So what are you putting? What's on that now?
- [93:48]
Aaliyah Boston
Ooh, well, being an all star starter was on there. That was on there. Making a playoff run, obviously, I put. Winning a championship. I did have consistency. Like, I honestly put averaging. What did I say? I think I wanted to average, like, like 18, 10 and like, five assists or something. And like, all these things I like, wrote down, and I'm like, this is what I want. I know I'm like, pretty eight assists.
- [94:16]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
No, I'm the assist. Honestly, you're playing, I think, is what ultimately, because I feel like in the wnba, it's just these small little. You already mentioned margin of error. It's like these small little areas where if you can just edge and I think your playmaking as a post player can really be a part of what, like, gives you this edge and separates you from others. Because a lot of post players score points and rebound. But can they do that? Okay, last but not least, when you, when this season's over, you look back what would be like a successful year for you.
- [94:47]
Aaliyah Boston
Ooh, winning a championship, but also, I think making a deeper playoff run than we did last year. And I think, like, this year, too, like, we beat teams that we haven't beat in a while. And so for us, just making sure that for me, like, being consistent that entire year, but definitely the playoffs, like, that is what I'm focused on. Okay.
- [95:06]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
Thanks for coming.
- [95:06]
Aaliyah Boston
Of course. Thank you for having me.
- [95:10]
Host 1 (likely a sports analyst or interviewer)
What a great conversation. Hopefully you guys enjoyed it. You know, we really got to thank Aaliyah's dad because when he first put that basketball in her hands back in St. Thomas, he knew, I mean, her whole family knew that a generational player would be born. From the co ed league to the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the year to leading Indiana today, Aaliyah Boston's future is so bright and the Indiana Fever are in great hands. All right, see you guys next time. This episode is a co production of two GetHer and Vox Media. Our producers are Tommy Alter, Jason Gallagher, Richie Bozick, Harry Krinski, Jess Clarendon and Melanie Carter.