Long before she won a National Championship at South Carolina, Aliyah Boston was just twelve-years old when she and her family made the decision that she would leave St. Thomas to pursue her education and further her basketball career.
And yet, home is where it all began. She’d play against men at local tournaments, and even after moving to New England to attend Worcester Academy, would find time to return whenever she could. Most importantly, Boston continued to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands and prove that the best of the best can come from St. Thomas.
“That’s where I started off from, on the island where nobody knew me, having to travel away for camps and having to relocate from my parents and my grandparents to living with my aunt when I was 12,” Boston told Deyscha Smith back in 2019. “Even though it’s a small island, there’s so much talent there and for me to give back to them when I have an influence, that resembles what I want to do.”
On July 18, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism announced a multi-year partnership with the Indiana Fever breakout star, who will now serve as the official tourism ambassador for the U.S. territory, which includes the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.
Boston will promote destination through local and national campaigns.
“The U.S. Virgin Islands mean so much to me and my family and I couldn’t be happier to be an official ambassador for my hometown,” Boston said. “I’m very proud of where I’m from and it’s really special to be able to partner with the tourism board so that we can let the world know that the islands are gorgeous, with beautiful and kind people, and filled with a cultural richness that make them a destination for everyone.”
The SLAM 237-co cover star just became the first rookie to be selected to start in the WNBA All-Star game since 2014. Now she can add tourism ambassador to her ever-growing list of accomplishments.
Featured Image via Getty Images.
