Team USA rules out Aliyah Boston, Sonia Citron for World Cup qualifiers
Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston has reportedly been ruled out of competing in the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 11-17. USA Basketball announced on Thursday that Boston and Washington Mystics' Sonia Citron would be replaced on the FIBA roster by Golden State Valkyries Monique Billings and Los Angeles Sparks Rae Burrell, following recent injuries.
The 24-year-old suffered a lower-extremity injury during the Phantom's regular-season finale in Unrivaled, just before the start of the postseason. In that game, Boston scored five points and grabbed five rebounds in 12.5 minutes prior to leaving due to the injury.
Due to her injury in the regular-season finale, Boston missed the postseason, where the Phantom lost to the Mist in the championship. She was named Unrivaled Defensive Player of the Year after a dominant season that led to the Phantom's top seed.
Boston, a former No. 1 WNBA Draft pick and Rookie of the Year, averaged a career-high 15 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game last season with the Indiana Fever. She helped lead the team on a surprising run to the 2025 semifinals alongside Kelsey Mitchell, with Caitlin Clark missing most of the season due to injury. Boston has never averaged under 14 points and 8 rebounds, and has never missed a game in her three WNBA seasons.