The Gamecocks had a few major wins on Wednesday.
Both standout center Aliyah Boston and head coach Dawn Staley received some recognition for their contributions to South Carolina’s 33-2 season.
Boston was named the 2022 Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year after averaging 16.8 points and 12.2 rebounds. Boston’s POTY campaign was not only highlighted by her SEC record-breaking 27 consecutive double-doubles but also her 2.5 blocks per game and effectiveness on the defensive end. So, you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that Boston also earned the 2022 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year honor.
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ โก๏ธ @NaismithTrophy Player of the Year AND Defensive Player of the Year
๐๐๐๐ pic.twitter.com/kg5lb1rFFT
— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) March 30, 2022
While Boston took home the on-the-court awards, Staley was there to grab the accolades that recognize those on the sideline. She was named the 2022 Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year after leading the Gamecocks to the Final Four as they went through the entire season without relinquishing their No. 1 spot in the rankings.
The COTY award is her second.
2x in the last 3 seasonsโฆ the ๐ @dawnstaley is your @NaismithTrophy Coach of the Year!!! pic.twitter.com/52Aq09mfwX
— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) March 30, 2022
Surely the 2022 award winners are thrilled to be recognized for their success. I’d bet there’s another honor that both Boston and Staley are greedy for โ being crowned national champions.
The Gamecocks had the shortest championship odds (+162 at Tipico) entering the NCAA Tournament and remain the favorites to win it all.
Can they avenge their 2021 Final Four heartbreak?