Aliyah Boston and Grace Berger: 'It's Amazing to be on This Journey With Her'
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Former South Carolina forward/center and the WNBA 2023 No. 1 draft pick Aliyah Boston is teaming up with No. 7 first round draft pick and former Hoosier guard Grace Berger.
It would have been the college women's matchup of the century if the Gamecocks, who were ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll, got to face the No. 2 Hoosiers last season. That wasn't in the plan, but the two rookies hooping together for the Indiana Fever is.
"It's been great," Boston said in a post game interview on Friday. "Seeing her growth in two weeks has been amazing. There's been some stuff where you just see that hooper you saw in college that gets to her spot, can hit down any shot. It's amazing to be on this journey with her."
Boston has already made quick progress for the Fever as she's earned two starts and dropped 15 points and nine boards in the regular season opener versus the Connecticut Sun on Friday night. Berger didn't play in the first game but earned three minutes of playing time on the next road game versus the New York Liberty getting two points, one block, one steal and one assist in the 90-73 loss.
It's unusual for Hoosier fans to witness the former Indiana star on the bench, but it doesn't phase Berger, she said. She's used to paying her dues as she sat the bench for USA Basketball at times as well as early in her Hoosier career. Berger is more focused on putting in the work behind the scenes as she shoots 350-400 extra shots in practice or before games, so she's prepared to face the best of the best.
"It's just a different level of athlete," Berger said. "Bigger, stronger, faster than the college level. They're the best athletes in the world at this sport, so I think it's an adjustment coming from college but something that I see myself belonging in down the road for sure."
Boston, Berger and former South Carolina forward Victaria Saxton make up the rookies for the Fever. The trio is used to winning as South Carolina won a national championship just two seasons ago and Indiana only lost two regular season games this past season.
The Fever are 0-2 right now with glimmers of progress from veteran players paired with the best rookies in the league to turn the team around. Up next, the Fever will take on the Atlanta Dream on the road Sunday, May 28 at 3 p.m. ET.
Related stories on Indiana women's basketball
- WHAT GRACE BERGER SAID AFTER FIRST FEVER GAME Indiana Fever guard Grace Berger spoke to media following her first WNBA game. She didn't play, but her mindset is the same as it was when she was a starting Hoosier. Read her full transcript, or just watch the attached video of the interview. CLICK HERE
- FEVER COACH SIDES PROMISES BERGER WILL BE A GOOD PLAYER Indiana Fever guard and former Hoosier Grace Berger didn't play in the Indiana Fever regular season debut loss, but head coach Christie Sides promised Berger would get her moment and be a great player. She said she's not quite ready to throw her in the fire. CLICK HERE
- GRACE BERGER MAKES INDIANA FEVER ROSTER The Indiana Fever announced Thursday that former Indiana basketball guard Grace Berger has made the 12-player opening night roster. CLICK HERE
