Dawn Staley Identifies the ‘Next Aliyah Boston’ Set to Dominate Women’s College Basketball
October 20, 2024 – Columbia, SC* — South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, who has built one of the most dominant programs in women’s college basketball, has made a bold prediction: she’s found the next player ready to follow in the footsteps of former Gamecock star Aliyah Boston, who now shines in the WNBA.
In a recent interview, Staley hinted that her new recruit is poised to make waves in the 2024-2025 season, much like Boston did during her time in Columbia. “We’ve got a player who’s going to put women’s college basketball on notice. She’s got that same drive, the same leadership, and the same impact on the court that Aliyah had,” Staley said.
While Staley didn’t name the player outright, insiders are pointing to 6’4″ freshman forward Brianna Caldwell, a highly touted recruit with a similar skill set to Boston’s. Known for her imposing presence in the paint, Caldwell has been praised for her shot-blocking, rebounding, and low-post scoring, much like Boston’s game-changing style during her collegiate career.
Boston, who led South Carolina to a national championship in 2022 and won multiple national player of the year awards, set the bar high during her time with the Gamecocks. Her dominance on both ends of the floor and leadership were pivotal to the program’s success, and finding someone who can replicate that is no easy task. However, Staley believes this new player has all the tools to fill that void.
“She has that rare combination of skill, basketball IQ, and work ethic that can change the game,” Staley said. “We’re expecting her to step in and make an immediate impact, and I think she’s ready for the challenge.”
South Carolina fans are eager to see who will step up in the post-Boston era, as the team looks to remain a powerhouse in the SEC and nationally.
With high expectations for Caldwell and a roster loaded with talent, the Gamecocks are again among the favorites to contend for a national title.
Many in the women’s basketball community have been speculating about Staley’s next big star, and if Caldwell lives up to the hype, she could be the next household name in the sport.
Staley, who has a reputation for developing top-tier talent, remains confident that her program will continue to set the standard in women’s college basketball. “We’ve always had great players, and we’re going to keep building that legacy,” she said. “This player, whoever she is, will help carry that torch forward.”
As the 2024-2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Columbia to see if Dawn Staley’s newest recruit can live up to the comparisons with Aliyah Boston and help lead the Gamecocks to another championship run.
