INDIANAPOLIS — Negotiations on Aliyah Boston’s EPIC extension began almost as soon as the WNBA and its players association came to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement.
But the Indiana Fever center wasn’t involved in those talks. Her agent handled all that, she said. “I just sat back, watched a good show and waited for him to call.”
That call came a few days ago and on Friday, Boston officially made history, becoming the first player in WNBA history to sign an EPIC extension that will keep her with the Fever through 2029.
“Indy is such a fun place to be,” Boston said Sunday, the first day of training camp. “I think we’re playing great basketball here. The people we have here, the franchise, it’s all amazing and I love playing with them. That’s enticing. So why not (sign an extension).”
The four-year, $6.3 million deal will pay the 6-foot-5 South Carolina grad $1 million in 2026, then the supermax (20% of the team’s salary cap) from 2027-29.
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It’s the richest total salary in league history, according to ESPN.
“There’s nobody more deserving,” Fever guard Caitlin Clark said. “I’m really happy for her and happy that she gets to spend more time here. These fans really love her, this organization really loves her and I’ve loved every single second of getting to play with her. She’s not only a great basketball player, but one of my good friends. I’m really happy to celebrate her.”
Drafted first overall by the Fever in 2023 and voted WNBA Rookie of the Year that same season, Boston was one of the team’s only players to participate in all 44 games last season, averaging 15 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and just under a block per game.
She shot a reliable 55.8% from 2 last season, but coach Stephanie White wants her to start shooting more 3-pointers after averaging fewer than one attempt per game in 2025.
“I wanted her to take three 3s per game (last season) and we didn’t even come close,” White said. “That was a priority in the offseason. She’s got a great shot, it’s (about) feeling comfortable stretching the floor. We used her as a hub a lot last year. She played our point forward. I thought she excelled in that role and the next step is for her to knock shots down from 3.”
As for her injury status, Boston, who suffered a lower-leg injury over the winter, said she’s “feeling good to go” and “ready to get to work.”
During an interview with IndyStar’s Fever Insider podcast, Fever general manager Amber Cox confirmed Boston is free of limitations.
“She didn’t play in the FIBA qualifiers, (but that was) just a precautionary thing as she’s coming back after that injury,” Cox said. “She’s progressed really well. We feel great about her coming into camp. That’s great news for us.”
Though the first player to sign an EPIC extension as she was the only player eligible for 2026, Boston is actually the Fever’s second $1-million player, joining veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million supermax agreement earlier this month.
“Hearing those numbers, it’s crazy,” White smiled. “I’m so thankful that this league is where we are right now (and) to still be part of it and see these things come to fruition. These players deserve it. They have been part of a tidal wave of changing the landscape of the game. I’m thankful they’re living in this moment.”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fever want to see Aliyah Boston improve in one area now healthy from injury, after extension
Reporting by Brian Haenchen, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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