Fever forward Aliyah Boston named WNBA rookie of year in landslide

Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever had an incredible first season and was recognized as WNBA rookie of the year on Monday.

The No. 1 pick in the draft started every game for Indiana averaging 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks. The forward shot 57.8 per cent from the field and became the first rookie to lead the league in that stat.

The South Carolina graduate was a unanimous choice by the 60-person national media panel, becoming the fifth rookie to be chosen on every ballot and first since A'ja Wilson did it in 2018.

Boston became the second Fever player to ever win the award, joining Tamika Catchings.

She headlined the league's all-rookie team that also included Seattle's Jordan Horston, Washington's Li Meng and the Minnesota duo of Dorka Juhasz and Diamond Miller.

The Fever won 13 games this past season, more than double their total from a year ago. Indiana missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year but have the best chance at winning the draft lottery and getting the No. 1 pick again.