Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark have emerged as one of the most electrifying young duos in the WNBA, making waves throughout the 2024 season. However, an intriguing offseason dilemma may force Boston to make a challenging decision regarding her All-WNBA point guard counterpart. On Wednesday, the University of Iowa announced that Clark’s iconic No. 22 jersey will be retired on February 2, 2025, coinciding with a home game against the USC Trojans, led by JuJu Watkins. That same day, Boston’s alma mater, South Carolina, will honor Las Vegas Aces star and three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson by retiring her jersey during a game against Auburn.
With both ceremonies scheduled just 90 minutes apart—Iowa’s at 1:30 p.m. ET and South Carolina’s at noon ET—it would be logistically impossible for Boston to attend both events. The decision of which ceremony to prioritize may prove to be a deeply personal one. Although Boston and Wilson never shared the court as Gamecocks, their bond remains strong. Wilson, who played for South Carolina from 2014 to 2018, left the program as a legend before Boston arrived a year later. Yet Boston has often spoken of Wilson as being “like a real sister” to her, reflecting the deep camaraderie that ties alumni of the powerhouse program.
Despite her connection to Wilson, Boston has also been a staunch supporter of Clark, as demonstrated by her congratulatory Instagram Story after Iowa announced the ceremony date. “It’s always go Cocks, but so happy for you, sista,” Boston wrote, adding, “Congrats and go Hawks for today.” Her words encapsulated the delicate balance she maintains between loyalty to her alma mater and her close relationship with Clark, who has become an integral part of Boston’s WNBA journey with the Indiana Fever.
Boston’s rise to prominence as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft has paralleled Clark’s own ascent in the league, following her selection as the top pick in 2024. Together, under the guidance of coach Stephanie White, the duo has transformed the Fever into a promising contender. Yet the strong ties Boston shares with both Clark and Wilson make her potential choice between the two jersey retirement ceremonies all the more complex.
As February 2 approaches, fans of both Iowa and South Carolina will undoubtedly speculate about which event Boston might attend—if any. Her decision will reflect not only her personal connections but also the intricate dynamics of her professional and collegiate relationships. Regardless of her choice, the day will highlight the profound legacy of two extraordinary athletes, A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark, whose contributions to basketball continue to inspire a new generation of players.
