Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, announced heartbreaking personal news this week. And, unfortunately, it’s a result of Caitlin Clark joining the team in this year’s draft.
Playing alongside Clark has its pros and cons. On one hand, Clark is the greatest scorer in NCAA history and draws defensive attention, opening up opportunities for her teammates. On the flip side, the Fever’s opponents are on a mission to make a statement against Indiana. It’s resulted in a couple of blowout losses to start the year for Boston and Co.
Off the court, Clark’s impact can’t be understated. She’s selling out arenas and taking the WNBA to new heights. But there’s a downside to so much attention: social media trolls.
Boston revealed this week that she’s deleted her social media accounts. Her and the Indiana Fever are receiving immense criticism on social media. She felt it was best to delete her accounts, except Tik Tok, to escape the outside noise and better her mental health.
“I spoke with Aliyah Boston and she said, ‘I had to delete Twitter from my phone,'”ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported. “She said the only safe app right now is TikTok, where it’s friendly and she can scroll past if there’s anything negative.”
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) in the first half against the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
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Online bullies and trolls are nothing new for professional athletes. It’s a big reason why most celebrities don’t actually manage their own accounts, electing to stay social-media free to protect their mental health.
Aliyah Boston is taking the right approach. Ignore the haters, build chemistry with Caitlin Clark and your teammates, and try to get that first win of the season.
