Aliyah Boston reveals the ‘hardest person to guard’ in WNBA ahead of All-Star clash
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Aliyah Boston reveals the ‘hardest person to guard’ in WNBA ahead of All-Star clash originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Aliyah Boston has faced nearly every elite scorer the WNBA has to offer, but the Indiana Fever center did not need much time to identify her toughest defensive assignment.
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During WNBA All-Star media availability in Chicago, Boston named Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell as the “hardest person to guard” on the floor. It was another strong endorsement for Mitchell, who has put together one of the best seasons of her nine-year career.
“I think Kelsey Mitchell’s the hardest person to guard on the floor,” Boston said. “Kelsey defends, but Kelsey can create her own shot in any different way. She can go back door, she can beat everyone off the dribble.”
Boston sees Mitchell’s full offensive arsenal up close every day. The 30-year-old guard can attack from the perimeter, create separation off the dribble or punish defenders who lose track of her away from the ball. That versatility has made Mitchell the centerpiece of Indiana’s offense.
Aliyah Boston says Kelsey Mitchell deserves her flowers
Mitchell entered the All-Star break leading the Fever with 23.3 points per game. She has also averaged 2.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals through 27 appearances. Those numbers helped Mitchell earn the first All-Star starting assignment of her career. She had previously been selected as a reserve, but her promotion to the starting lineup represented another significant milestone for one of the WNBA’s most consistent scorers.
Boston believes the recognition is overdue.
“I think it’s about time that people give Kelsey her flowers right now,” Boston said. “Kelsey does so much for us, so much on the court. She makes teams have to scheme differently. She just puts her head down and keeps working.”
Mitchell was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and has spent her entire professional career with Indiana. She endured several difficult rebuilding seasons before helping the Fever return to the postseason in 2024. Rather than look elsewhere, Mitchell remained in Indiana and has continued to elevate her game as the Fever have developed into a contender.
“I’m so glad of all the things that’s going to come for her just because the person that she is,” Boston said. “The way she plays and the way she competes is like no other.”
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Fever teammates become All-Star opponents
Boston will get an opportunity to test her assessment during Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game. The two Indiana teammates will be on opposite sides, with Boston playing for Team Spoon and Mitchell representing Team Coop. That creates the possibility of Boston being switched onto the player she considers the league’s most difficult matchup.
It should provide a fun moment for Fever fans in Chicago, especially if Mitchell decides to challenge Boston in isolation. There will be plenty of star power on the court, but few players will understand Mitchell’s offensive ability better than the teammate who has tried to stop her countless times in practice.
Boston has already delivered the warning. Guarding Mitchell is much easier said than done.
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