Aliyah Boston on MVP Watch, Says Dawn Staley: “The Road Goes Through A’ja Wilson”

In the evolving landscape of the WNBA, few young stars have risen as quickly or as impressively as Aliyah Boston. The Indiana Fever center has become a cornerstone of her franchise and a growing force across the league. While her dominance on both ends of the floor has put her firmly into early MVP conversations, one voice stands out in assessing Boston’s trajectory: her former South Carolina coach, Dawn Staley. And according to Staley, the path to the league’s highest individual honor still requires one critical step — going through A’ja Wilson.

Boston’s presence in the MVP watch is no surprise. Since entering the league, she has displayed an extraordinary combination of efficiency, composure, and leadership. Her footwork, high basketball IQ, and ability to impact the game without forcing the issue have made her a reliable anchor for a young Fever team. This season, her scoring has become more assertive, her rebounding more commanding, and her defensive awareness more refined. Each game seems to add another layer to her growing resume.

But for Staley, who coached both Boston and Wilson at South Carolina, the comparison is both natural and instructive. A’ja Wilson has established herself as the face of the WNBA’s new era — a dominant, two-way superstar with multiple championships, MVPs, and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Staley’s message isn’t about diminishing Boston’s rise; instead, it underscores the standard that Wilson has set.

Staley’s perspective highlights an important truth about the MVP race: dominance alone isn’t enough. Narrative, leadership, sustained excellence, and team impact all play significant roles. Wilson has mastered these elements. Boston, meanwhile, is in the early stages of crafting her own story. She has already proven that she belongs among the elite, but the evolution from All-Star to MVP requires both continued production and signature moments that define a season.

At the same time, Boston’s development has been accelerated by the arrival of Caitlin Clark, whose playmaking and spacing have opened new opportunities inside. The pairing has transformed the Fever into a team capable of strategic versatility, making it easier for Boston to showcase her full repertoire. If the Fever continue their upward trajectory, Boston’s MVP case grows stronger with each win.

Staley’s comments also speak to the legacy of South Carolina’s program. Producing two of the league’s brightest stars is a testament to both talent and culture. While Wilson and Boston are competitors at the professional level, they remain connected through shared experience and mutual respect. Both have publicly expressed admiration for one another, acknowledging that greatness pushes greatness.

Ultimately, Boston’s place on the MVP watch list is a sign of what’s coming. She is no longer a promising young player — she’s a franchise centerpiece capable of shaping the future of the league. But in Dawn Staley’s eyes, the message is clear: to become the best, you have to beat the best. And in today’s WNBA, the road to MVP runs through A’ja Wilson.

Whether Boston reaches that peak this season or in the years ahead, one thing is certain: the rivalry and respect between these two former Gamecocks will continue to elevate the league, shaping an era defined by power, precision, and generational talent.