“Listen In With KNN,” sports talk podcast and radio show returns with a star‑studded episode as award‑winning host Kelsey Nicole Nelson sits down with Indiana Fever center and 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston.
The three‑time WNBA All‑Star opened up about the offseason, her growing role in sports media, big time investments and her commitment to expanding opportunities for young girls in basketball by teaming up with medical company Lilly and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.
Boston, who has already built an impressive resume as a player, business owner, and analyst for Peacock’s Big Ten women’s basketball coverage, shared how she’s balancing travel and workouts during the offseason.
“I’ve made the most of my time away from the sport, traveling and staying game ready with gym workouts in between,” Boston said.
As part of the offseason, Nelson asked about Boston’s experience co‑hosting the popular basketball podcast “Post Moves” alongside WNBA legend Candace Parker. For Boston, she mentioned teaming up with one of her childhood idols has been surreal.
“Honestly, it’s just a dream come true to be on a pod and have a pod with Candace … someone that I looked up to as a young girl. There’s no better feeling than this. It truly is amazing,” Boston said.
Athletes hosting podcasts has become a new outlet for candid conversations about professional sports. The frontcourt duo of Boston and Parker are breaking down male‑centered barriers in this podcasting niche.
On her partnership with Lilly and the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, Boston mentioned the importance of “The Court Is Hers” initiative, which provides free access to basketball leagues for girls by eliminating registration fees for girls basketball programs at the YMCA.
Research found that by age 14, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys according to researchers. Boston is determined to change that and strengthen the bond between young girls and sports.
“It’s been so special [working with The Court is Hers initiative]. I think this initiative just excited me from the jump. Just being able to be a young girl that fell in love with playing basketball, and I thank Lilly and the YMCA., Boston said. “This partnership has really been so special because it allows girls to not only just continue to be confident within sport, but also build so many relationships and friendships at such a young age that they can carry through their entire life.”
Boston emphasized the importance of access to sports for young girls.
“Access is so important, and there’s so many young girls that quit playing sports at such an early age because of access. And I think this is just such a great opportunity, because you don’t have to worry about the price. You just know that you can come and you can have a space where you’re around other young girls learning to play basketball and just having fun.”
Boston emphasized how much she has enjoyed her time in Indianapolis, calling it the “basketball capital of the United States.”
She praised Fever fans and the young athletes she meets daily in the city.
“I love Indy and I just love the fans. I love the people that I get to encounter. I love the young girls, the young athletes in general, that come up to us and ask for pictures and just tell us how much they love watching us play. There’s no better feeling than that,” Boston said.
Beyond basketball, Boston has joined the ownership group of Boston Legacy FC, a women’s soccer team in her hometown. She joins fellow athletes Patrick Mahomes, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant in investing in professional sports franchises.
“There’s so many people now that’s investing in women’s sports. I feel like there’s no better way than to continue to show how much you believe and show much excitement you have around women’s sports than to invest and that’s why I want to do that with Boston Legacy, especially because Massachusetts was such a big part of my development and my life, that just felt like the right place to do it.” Boston said.
As anticipation continues to build around women’s sports, Boston previewed her participation in the second season of the Unrivaled women’s basketball league, beginning Jan. 5 in Miami, where she’ll suit up for Phantom BC.
As she looks to the start of the season, the anticipation continues to build. She mentioned she is looking forward to “the year of growth to continue to show my ability to extend out beyond mid range. I’m super excited about that, but honestly, I just take every opportunity as a way to grow,” Boston said.
With college basketball also kicking off, she also shared her pride in watching her alma mater, South Carolina women’s basketball, from courtside.
“I was able to go out to LA and watch their last game. I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m already out of college, I felt like I just got to college.’ But seriously, I love watching my Gamecocks. I think they just do such a tremendous job, Coach Staley and the entire staff. They’re amazing.”
Boston closed the interview by highlighting the community impact of “The Court Is Hers.”
“I think this is just going to help the game grow. It’s going to help the young girls feel confident enough to step out on that court, and then they’ll have the fans that continue to come and just watch their family,” Boston said.
On the continued growth of women’s basketball growing in the city, Boston showed love.
“One thing about Indy, no matter where you are, no matter what sport it is, there’s always going to be someone supporting you.”
