Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston has been removed from the USA Basketball Women’s National Team roster for the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup after an MRI revealed a significant ankle injury, Team USA officials announced Saturday.
Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year and a key frontcourt presence for the U.S. squad, underwent imaging earlier this week after experiencing swelling and limited mobility during a closed practice session. Sources familiar with the evaluation confirmed the MRI showed a high ankle sprain with associated ligament involvement that would require several weeks of recovery and rehabilitation.
“This was an extremely difficult decision,” said USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach Cheryl Reeve in a statement. “Aliyah has been an outstanding contributor in training camp and embodies everything we look for in a Team USA athlete. Her health has to come first. We wish her a full and speedy recovery.”
Boston had been expected to compete for significant minutes in the paint alongside established veterans. The 6-foot-5 forward averaged double-digit points and strong rebounding numbers during the recent training camp period in Las Vegas and had impressed coaches with her defensive versatility and interior scoring.
The injury is unrelated to any previous issues and occurred during a non-contact drill, according to team medical staff. Boston will return to Indianapolis to begin a structured recovery program under the supervision of Fever medical personnel. No timeline has been set for her return to full basketball activity, though early indications suggest she could be available for the latter portion of the WNBA season if rehabilitation progresses as hoped.
USA Basketball will announce a replacement player in the coming days to fill the roster spot ahead of the team’s departure for the World Cup. The Americans remain heavy favorites to contend for gold despite the setback.
Boston, drafted first overall by the Fever in 2023, has quickly established herself as one of the league’s premier young bigs. Her absence marks a notable blow for a U.S. team that has dominated international competition in recent cycles.
In a brief statement released through her representatives, Boston expressed disappointment but emphasized her commitment to recovery. “I’m proud of the work I put in with this group,” she said. “I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way and focused on getting healthy.”
The FIBA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to tip off next month, with Team USA aiming to extend its long run of excellence on the global stage.
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