Aliyah Boston Signs Adidas Contract After Being Fever's No. 1 WNBA Draft Pick

Aliyah Boston, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft last month, has agreed to a multiyear endorsement deal with Adidas.

According to ESPN's Nick DePaula, Boston said the following about the partnership: "It feels amazing to be part of Adidas. Adidas is empowering women, and they're opening the doors for women's sports. It's just continuing to grow the game."

The former University of South Carolina standout is the latest WNBA star to sign with Adidas, joining Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike and Chelsea Gray.

DePaula noted that Boston's decision to sign with Adidas came as a surprise since she had a preexisting relationship with Under Armour.

The South Carolina women's basketball team wears Under Armour gear, and Boston had a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with Under Armour in college.

Boston spent four productive seasons at South Carolina, earning three unanimous first-team All-America selections and two Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Awards.

The 6'5" center also won every major college player of the year award in 2022, plus the 2022 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award, as the Gamecocks won a national championship.

In 138 games at South Carolina, Boston averaged 14.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steal while shooting 54.6 percent from the field.

The 2021-22 campaign was her best, as she averaged 16.8 points, 12.5 boards, 2.4 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals.

Boston was selected first overall by a Fever team that has not experienced much success in recent years.

Indiana has not reached the WNBA playoffs since 2016, and it has won single-digit games in each of the past three seasons, including a franchise-worst 5-31 record last season.

The Fever were once a consistent force in the WNBA, reaching the playoffs in 12 straight seasons from 2005 to 2016. They made three WNBA Finals appearances during that time, winning the title in 2012.

In Boston, the Fever have a potential superstar player to get them back on track, and the Adidas deal is proof that she is already gaining national recognition for herself and the team.