
Aliyah Boston, a name now synonymous with excellence in women’s basketball, has had an illustrious journey from high school standout to college national champion and now a professional in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever.
Throughout her rise, her decision to attend the University of South Carolina under head coach Dawn Staley proved transformative—not only for her own career but for the trajectory of the Gamecocks’ program as a whole. However, in the world of sports rumors and recruitment speculation, there have been claims that Boston was at one point “tempted” to commit to the LSU Tigers.
While such speculation may generate intrigue, there is no credible evidence to support the idea that LSU was ever seriously in contention during her recruitment.Boston committed to South Carolina in 2019, a decision she has described as driven by her trust in Coach Staley, the program’s family atmosphere, and the developmental opportunities she saw at the university.
South Carolina had already emerged as a national powerhouse in women’s college basketball, and Boston was seen as a foundational piece for sustaining that dominance. From the start, she flourished under Staley’s leadership, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors and quickly becoming one of the most dominant two-way players in the country.
Her accomplishments with the Gamecocks were nothing short of extraordinary. Boston led South Carolina to a national championship in 2022 and was named the National Player of the Year the same season. She was a three-time All-American and widely regarded as one of the best post players in NCAA history. Her consistent performances in high-pressure games—including matchups against LSU—highlighted her poise and leadership on the court.Despite Boston’s strong connection to South Carolina, the idea that she might have considered LSU has circulated from time to time.
These rumors often arise from retrospective “what-if” scenarios, common in sports discourse, particularly when two powerhouse programs like South Carolina and LSU regularly clash in the national spotlight. Given LSU’s recent rise under head coach Kim Mulkey and their 2023 national championship win, some fans and commentators have imagined how dominant the Tigers might have been with Boston on their roster.
However, no credible reports or statements from Boston, her family, or her coaches have ever indicated that LSU was a serious contender during her recruitment. At the time Boston was making her college decision, LSU was not enjoying the same national prominence it would later gain under Mulkey. The Tigers were rebuilding, while South Carolina was consistently competing at the top of the SEC and nationally.
For a player of Boston’s caliber—focused on development, winning, and preparation for a professional career—South Carolina offered a clear path forward.Furthermore, Boston’s relationship with Coach Staley was central to her decision. Staley’s reputation for mentoring elite post players and advocating for her athletes both on and off the court made her program especially attractive.
Boston has frequently spoken about how the South Carolina coaching staff helped shape her into a complete player and leader.The speculation about Boston potentially committing to LSU reflects more on the growing competitiveness and visibility of women’s college basketball than on actual events. With stars like Angel Reese at LSU and Boston’s own impact at South Carolina, fans naturally draw comparisons and imagine alternate realities.
Yet, it’s important to separate hypothetical scenarios from fact.In conclusion, while the idea of Aliyah Boston in an LSU uniform may spark conversation, it is based purely in speculation and not supported by factual evidence. Boston’s commitment to South Carolina was firm, thoughtful, and ultimately successful. Her legacy with the Gamecocks is secure, and any rumors of LSU interest should be viewed as imaginative storytelling rather than historical reality.