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WATCH: Aliyah Boston shouts out Candace Parker following South Carolina's national title win

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•04/04/22•

Jonathan Wagner

On3 image
C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images.

On Sunday night, the South Carolina Gamecocks won the 2022 Women’s NCAA Tournament title over the Connecticut Huskies. The Gamecocks controlled the game throughout, eventually winning 64-49. Following the game, South Carolina star Aliyah Boston shared a special moment with former Tennessee star Candace Parker.

Boston, who was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player, spotted Parker in the stands as South Carolina stood on the stage. When Boston was given the mic, she immediately gave a shoutout to Parker, which led to a great moment following the game.

“Hey, Candace Parker, I’d like to say hi,” Boston said. “I love you girl.”

Parker responded to Boston’s message from across the court, creating a special moment following the title game.

“I love you,” Parker responded. “So proud of you.”

Parker is certainly a quality player for Boston to look up to. At Tennessee, Parker won two consecutive national titles in 2007 and 2008, being named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player in both years. She was also a two-time consensus National Player of the Year. In 2008, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Parker with the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft.

Parker has played 14 years in the WNBA, 13 of which were with the Sparks. This season, Parker plays for the Chicago Sky. Over the course of her career, Parker has averaged 16.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game. She is a two-time WNBA MVP and a six-time All Star.

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Boston has turned into a star for South Carolina

This season, Boston has played a big role in South Carolina’s success. She had a double-double in all but one game in the NCAA Tournament, and the only game without a double-double was still a 19-point, seven rebound performance against Creighton in the Elite Eight. In the national title game against UConn, Boston had 11 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

This year was Boston’s third at South Carolina, but it was undoubtedly her best yet. On the season, she averaged 16.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game while playing 27.5 minutes. She shot 54.2% from the field and 29.2% from three-point range. Boston finishes the season with 30 double-doubles.

Winning this year’s national title was a year-long journey not only for South Carolina, but especially for Boston. Last season, the Gamecocks made it to the Final Four, trailing by one with the ball at the buzzer. Boston’s shot attempt in the final seconds of the game did not fall, and that served as motivation to get on the right side of the score column to end this year’s tournament. That is exactly what South Carolina did.

The title is South Carolina’s second of the Dawn Staley era, as the Gamecocks also won the title in the 2016-2017 season.