COLUMBIA — When she was a freshman, South Carolina women's basketball star Aliyah Boston might not have thought twice about declaring for the WNBA Draft as soon as possible. As a senior in 2023 however, the decision is a lot more complicated.
The freedom to monetize name, image and likeness has changed the landscape of college sports, especially for athletes with professional aspirations. Just look at South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler, who decided to remain in Columbia for another season despite being projected as a mid-round NFL draft pick.
Boston's WNBA draft status as the projected No. 1 overall pick may be a bit more tempting, but the Gameco*cks star has another year of eligibility and hasn't ruled out the possibility of using it.
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"I think NIL plays a major role in that, because people can consider going to league or going overseas against how much you can make in NIL without having to worry about all of the extra stuff that comes with it," Boston told The Greenville News. "You don't really have to do anything (in college) except hoop, go to school and make money. In the real world, all of the sudden everything is coming at you so I think it plays a major decision."
Since leading South Carolina to the 2022 NCAA championship, Boston has participated in NIL opportunities ranging from promoting "Top Gun Maverick" to creating her own workout program with OrangeTheory Fitness. She is working with supplement company SixStar Pro Nutrition to give away a trip to the Final Four in Dallas, and she has done deals with Crocs footwear, Gameco*cks uniform sponsor Under Armour and fast food favorite Bojangles.
Boston also participates in South Carolina's teamwide sponsorship with Slate Milk, a unique deal that pays every player on the roster $25,000 a year to promote the protein drink.
"NIL is an unreal blessing," Boston said. "It's a new opportunity for us to get a head start on life. Right now we don't have to pay too many bills or anything, so it's been a great chance to get a head start on what the future looks like. NIL has definitely helped me to build my brand, figure out what I like to do and what I'm good at."
According to On3's NIL evaluation, Boston's name, image and likeness is worth approximately $104,000 annually. That figure is significantly higher than the rookie base salary in the WNBA: No. 1 pick in 2022, Rhyne Howard, earned $72,141 last season.
Boston has turned to former teammate Destanni Henderson for advice on what a future in the WNBA looks like. Henderson, the Gameco*cks' point guard in last season's national title run, was selected No. 20 in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. Henderson came off the bench in her first season, averaging 5.3 points and 2.5 assists per game.
"Brea (Beal) and I just talked to her the other day about random things that we had questions about in general," Boston said. "It's pretty cool to have someone in there who we know that has been through that experience already. She said that two-a-day (practices) are super fun."
Except for fifth-year Victaria Saxton, South Carolina's entire senior class has the option to return next season. Athletes have until April 1 to declare for the WNBA Draft except those competing in the NCAA Final Four from March 30-April 2. Players in the Final Four have 48 hours after their final game to make a decision.
From a basketball perspective, coach Dawn Staley believes it's time for Boston to step up to the professional level. The senior has cemented her legacy as one of the Gameco*cks' all-time greats with a national title, consensus national player of the year honors, and a laundry list of individual awards. She also holds 24 program records after breaking the career double-double record against Arkansas on Jan. 22.
"I really haven't officially had (those conversations), but I've had some meetings and it wasn't established that they're going to go for sure," Staley said. "With how they're playing and how we're playing, I want what's best for them, and I do think Aliyah Boston should go. I do. I think she's ready to take on more of one on one play rather than the junk defenses."
