THE REPORTER
Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston was named the 2023 Associated Press Rookie of the Year, it was announced today. Fever guard Grace Berger joined Boston as well earning AP All-Rookie Team recognition.
Boston ended the regular season as the first rookie in WNBA history to lead the league in field goal percentage, shooting 57.8 percent (233-of-403) from the floor through the first 40 games of her career. The WNBA All-Star led all 2023 rookies in scoring (14.4 ppg), rebounds (8.4 rpg), steals (1.3 spg), blocked shots (1.3 bpg) and minutes played (31.2 mpg) per game.
Boston finished second in WNBA history for most rebounds in a rookie season with 335 rebounds, while finishing third all-time for field goals made as a rookie with 233. Boston also set franchise records for most blocks (50) in a rookie season. In addition, Boston also ended the season second in franchise history for points scored in a rookie season (578) and steals in a rookie season (53).
Berger earned All-Rookie recognition after averaging 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 14.6 minutes per contest in 36 games played. Among rookies, Berger led all players in 3-point field goal percentage shooting 47.1 percent (16-of-34) and was sixth in assists per game. Berger also shot 84.0 percent from the free throw line and scored at least 10 points in five games this season.
The 2023 AP All-Rookie Team was comprised of Boston, Berger, Dorka Juhasz (MIN), Diamond Miller (MIN), Jordan Horston (SEA) and Haley Jones (ATL).