The basketball world, often a whirlwind of fierce competition and unbreakable bonds, paused today to celebrate a milestone far sweeter than any championship win.

Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year and a cornerstone of women’s hoops, announced her pregnancy with a revelation so profoundly emotional that it reduced fans, teammates, and even hardened journalists to tears. In a tearful Instagram Live session streamed to her 320,000 followers, the 23-year-old forward shared that she’s expecting a baby boy in early spring 2026— but it was the name she chose, a cherished heirloom from her late grandmother, that truly shattered hearts and sparked an avalanche of love.

A Name That Carries Generations

Boston, born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, to parents Cleone and Algernon Boston, has always worn her family legacy like a badge of honor. Her journey from watching her older sister Alexis hoop at age nine to becoming a national sensation at the University of South Carolina is laced with tales of sacrifice and faith.

But nothing prepared her audience for the vulnerability she displayed today. “We’ve decided on the name… it’s one my grandmother adored more than anything,” Boston said, her voice cracking as she wiped away tears. “She passed before she could see me play pro, but she loved this name—Eloise. It means ‘chosen by God,’ just like she always said I was. Our little Eloise will carry her light.”

The choice of Eloise wasn’t random; it echoed the spiritual depth that defines the Boston family. Cleone, president of the Miracle Babies Foundation—a nonprofit she co-founded in 2001 after Alexis’s health struggles—has long infused their lives with Hebrew-inspired meanings of growth and divine promise.

Aliyah’s middle name, Alicia, draws from similar roots, but Eloise held a special place in her grandmother’s heart, whispered in bedtime stories and prayers during Aliyah’s childhood in the Virgin Islands. “Grandma would sing songs about it, saying it was for a boy full of grace and strength,” Boston recounted. “She never got to hold him, but through him, she’ll be here with us every day.”

An Outpouring of Love from the Hardwood to the Heart

The announcement hit like a game-winning buzzer-beater, but instead of cheers, it unleashed a torrent of sobs and support. Teammate Caitlin Clark, fresh off her own Fever heroics, was among the first to comment: “Aliyah, this is the most beautiful thing. Eloise is already blessed with the best mom and a guardian angel grandma. Crying with you! ❤️”

Fellow All-Star A’ja Wilson posted a string of heart emojis, adding, “Family legacies like this? That’s the real MVP energy. Congrats, sis—Eloise gonna ball like his mama.” Even across the league divide, Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese shared, “Tears over here. Your grandma’s smiling down, Aliyah. Sending all the love to you and baby E.”

Fans flooded social media with stories of their own lost loved ones, turning #EloiseBoston into a trending topic within minutes. “As a grandma myself, this one got me ugly crying,” one X user wrote, while another shared, “Aliyah’s strength on the court comes from this kind of love. WNBA family forever.” The emotional ripple extended to broadcasters; ESPN’s Elle Duncan choked up during a segment, saying, “In a sport that tests you, moments like this remind us why we play—for the heart.”

Balancing Motherhood and the Court: Boston’s Next Chapter

For Boston, who’s been a rebounding machine (averaging 8.7 boards per game in 2025) and a vocal leader for the Fever’s playoff push, the timing feels serendipitous. She’s due just after the 2026 WNBA season opener, allowing her to train through the winter with Unrivaled’s Phantom BC squad. “Basketball gave me everything, but this—being a mom, honoring Grandma—it’s my greatest win,” she said, beaming through happy tears. Her partner, University of South Carolina alum Tre-Vaughn Minott, joined the Live, wrapping an arm around her: “Eloise is our miracle. We’re ready.”

As the WNBA continues its surge in popularity—thanks in part to stars like Boston—the league’s sisterhood shines brightest in these personal triumphs. Cleone Boston, ever the pillar, released a statement via the family’s Parach Resource Management: “Our story has always been about flourishing promises. Eloise embodies that, a bridge between generations.” With her grandmother’s spirit now woven into the next, Aliyah Boston isn’t just building a legacy on the court—she’s etching it into eternity. The basketball world couldn’t be happier, or more tear-streaked, for it.