Look: South Carolina's Aliyah Boston reaches out to Oklahoma's Jocelyn Alo, addresses ESPY's invite snub

Oklahoma softball star Jocelyn Alo won the ESPY for Best Female College Athlete following one of the greatest seasons a softball player has ever had. Among those who she beat out for the award was South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston.

However, it wasn’t Jocelyn Alo who made the headlines. That’s because Aliyah Boston wasn’t invited to attend the event. In response, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley took to Twitter, calling out ESPN and the ESPYs.

“There should be national outrage from everyone inside and outside of WBB,” tweeted Staley in defense of Aliyah Boston.

ESPN explained their decision, saying in a statement:

“We have the utmost respect for Aliyah Boston, Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks. Due to both COVID restrictions and a new venue with much less seating capacity than previous shows, ‘The 2022 ESPYs’ prioritized athlete invitations to focus on specific awards that will be handed out during the broadcast.”

After facing backlash on social media, ESPN reversed course and invited Aliyah Boston.

Aliyah Boston’s response

Aliyah Boston didn’t attend the ESPYs, despite the last-second invitation. She took to Twitter, first to congratulate Jocelyn Alo, and then to explain her decision.

I thank God for continuing to bless me, for guiding my steps, and for the love and support of my family, fans and community. I would like to say congratulations @78jocelyn_alo and all the ESPY winners🎉 I remain thankful in all things. pic.twitter.com/BkO2iPA8YS

— Aliyah A. Boston (@aa_boston) July 20, 2022

“To be nominated for an ESPY this year meant the world to me and my family,” Aliyah Boston tweeted. “While it hurt finding out that they wouldn’t be televising the category despite it being televised last year, and had no intentions for me to attend…it hurt more to see ESPN change course and invite me only after social media caught wind of it. Respectfully, I declined.”

“I’m used to this. It’s just another moment when the disrespect and erasure of Black women is brushed off as a ‘mistake’ or an ‘oversight,'” continued Aliyah Boston. “Another excuse for why our milestones and accomplishments aren’t a ‘priority’ this time, even now, 50 years after Title IX.”

“To every Black girl and every Black woman: no one can take away what God has in store for us. You matter. You are valuable. You are a priority. You are seen, and you are LOVED–don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

Aliyah Boston is a two-time First Team All-American, was the unanimous 2022 National Player of the Year, and is a three-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, among numerous other honors. She also played a key role in South Carolina’s 2021-22 national championship.