What does it take for a Filipina baller to get noticed by the WNBA?
It's something that players in a social media-savvy country like the Philippines can take advantage of actually, if Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston can say anything about it.
The unanimous 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year shared her advice to Filipina ballers from the collegiate level up to the national team players on how they can get the attention of international coaches.
"One, set that as your goal and just do everything you want to do to get there," Boston shared to the Filipina players.
"And I think something that's also important is when you guys--whether it's college games or if you play for the national team there--that you just continue to film. Because that's something you can send off. [And] WNBA coaches could see eventually and say, 'Oh, I really like her. I really like what she does,'" she added.
The Indiana Fever center emphasized how important it is for a player to always add new skills.
"Every year, each and every season, you bring something new to your game. Whether that's an outside shot, or whether that's a post movement--that's not just for guards and posts like for post players," Boston noted.
"Being able to expand your game beyond the three-point line, being able to attack and guard even if you're smaller, being able to finish around the basket, around taller post players--just so that they can see you're not just one-dimensional, and that you have a lot of different stuff to your game."
In the 2023 WNBA season, Boston shot a league-high 57.8% from the field, becoming the first rookie to lead the league in that category, while also averaging 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks.
She herself shared working on consistent outside jumpers beyond the arc, as well as exploring different finishes around the basket.
The popularity of women's basketball has been on the rise in the United States--especially in the NCAA tournament and the meteoric climb of Iowa Hawkeyes superstar guard Caitlin Clark.
And it's a growing possibility that Fever could land Clark in the upcoming WNBA draft. Boston though is ready to embrace the challenge as she aims to grow.
"I want them to think of the impact that I've had on women's hoops. But eventually, I do want to be one of the greatest women basketball players to ever play the game."
