Indian Fever star Aliyah Boston’s plan for WNBA expansion doesn’t seem to align with the league’s. The WNBA is set to feature two more teams from the next season, in Toronto and Portland, followed by the arrivals of Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
Boston’s Fever teammate, Sophie Cunningham, had already attracted notoriety for dismissing Cleveland and Detroit’s chances of attracting fanfare. For Boston, one major city deserves to have a WNBA team.
Aliyah Boston Gives a Reason Why Boston Is Perfect for a WNBA Team
Preluding the Fever’s matchup against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, which they won courtesy of impressive performances from Kelsey Mitchell and Natasha Howard, Boston spoke with reporters about why the city of Boston is perfect for a WNBA team.
“I think when you look at the atmosphere for the Celtics, the atmosphere for the TD Garden games that now we’ve had, it’s been sold out. It’s been energy, the atmosphere’s been great, and I think that’s gonna be the same all the time,” Boston said.
Worcester Academy grad and Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston believes the city of Boston would be a great city for the WNBA to expand to:
“I think when you look at the atmosphere for the Celtics, the atmosphere for the TD Garden games that now we’ve had, it’s been sold out.… pic.twitter.com/j317YUWmpp
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) July 15, 2025
Notably, Boston has deep ties to the city. The 23-year-old forward, born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, moved to Worcester, which is 40 miles west of Boston, when she was just 12.
She attended Worcester Academy, became a five-star recruit, and achieved national attention during high school. Boston’s achievements inspired the city of Boston to proclaim July 14 as “Aliyah Boston Day.”
Boston was a three-time Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year at Worcester Academy. She also stood out at the University of South Carolina, winning the NCAA Division I championship in her junior year.
Unsurprisingly, she was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 WNBA draft and proved she was worth the hype by winning the Rookie of the Year honors.
Before the game against the Sun, she went to the Massachusetts State House to commemorate having a day named after her.
“To the young kids right here, I just want to say I hope that you guys see us and you look at us as what you want to be and what you dream. It doesn’t have to be basketball, it doesn’t have to be sports, just whatever you set your mind to, whatever goals you have, write it down,” Boston said after receiving the honor.
The All-Star forward urged youngsters never to let anyone undermine them. She pointed out that everybody has different paths, and one shouldn’t compare one’s with those of others.
The city is undoubtedly close to Boston’s heart. She is an investor in Boston Legacy FC, a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team set to begin play in 2026.
