Aliyah Boston, originally from St. Thomas, has helped Team USA win another gold medal, this time at the under-19 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Thailand, and V.I. hoop fans will get a chance to see her play on island this fall.
The Virgin Island native saved her best tournament performance for last as she recorded her only double-double of this World Cup, recording 12 points and 11 rebounds in team USA’s 74-70 overtime victory against Australia in the gold medal game Sunday.
The final was close throughout, with neither team able to stretch its advantage past six. The lead changed 21 times during the contest.
Boston tweeted this message after the accomplishment. “Thank you @usabasketball for allowing me to be able to represent my country and bring home another gold medal #4x”
Boston also had 12 points and seven rebounds in the 67-59 semi-final victory over Belgium.
In the 81-46 quarterfinal victory over Canada, she contributed six points and six rebounds while also blocking three shots.
Team USA defeated Germany in the round of 16, with Boston scoring five points and grabbing three rebounds.
In the group stage Boston had 10 points and five rebounds against Hungary, six points and five rebounds against South Korea, and eight points and seven rebounds against Australia.
Boston started all seven games for team USA during the seven games stretch en route to the gold. In the fall she will start her freshman year at the University of South Carolina and Virgin Islanders can see how quickly she adjusts to the college game as the Gamecocks will participate in the 2019 edition of Paradise Jam.
