Aliyah Boston, a standout alumna from Columbia, South Carolina’s women’s basketball program and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, has been named Defensive Player of the Year in the Unrivaled Basketball League. Boston earned this recognition on Saturday after an impressive season leading her team, the Phantom, to the No. 1 seed entering the postseason.
Dominant Defensive Presence Drives Team Success
Throughout the league’s unique 3-on-3 format, Boston’s defensive versatility allowed her to guard smaller players effectively, contributing significantly to the Phantom ranking second in defensive efficiency. She led the league with an average of 2.1 blocks per game, showcasing her shot-contesting ability and rim protection that anchored her team’s defense.
Offensive Contributions Highlight Boston’s All-Around Game
In addition to defense, Boston ranked tenth in scoring, averaging 18.9 points per game on an efficient 55% shooting from the field and 81.5% from the free throw line. She supplemented her scoring with 2.5 assists per game, demonstrating her well-rounded skills on offense. Her outstanding performance earned her a place on the All-Unrivaled second team, although some women’s basketball fans expressed disappointment at her omission from the first team. Fellow South Carolina alum Allisha Gray also made the All-Unrivaled second team while playing for the Mist.
Postseason Outlook and Upcoming Challenges
The Phantom will have a first-round bye in the Unrivaled postseason and will face the lowest remaining seed in the semifinals on Monday evening. The Unrivaled Championship Game is scheduled for Wednesday, with Boston expected to play a pivotal role in her team’s quest for the title.
Boston’s Continued Impact in Professional Basketball
Boston’s 2025 WNBA season marked her third consecutive year as a WNBA All-Star Game starter. Having already earned Rookie of the Year honors, she has emerged as a consistent MVP candidate and maintains strong potential to secure the Defensive Player of the Year award at the professional level. Additionally, she is set to participate in Team USA’s training camp this March, preparing for World Cup qualifiers, which underlines her growing influence on the international stage.
Aliyah Boston is the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year 👻🤩 pic.twitter.com/adMpievOkU
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) February 28, 2026
