Aliyah Boston’s Comments on ‘Hate’ From Fever Fans Resurface After Kelsey Mitchell Shades Indiana Supporters

Indiana Fever has enjoyed one of the most passionate fanbases in the WNBA, especially in the last three seasons. But as great as the numbers have been, players have differed in their opinions about their supporters. While Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell have shown love to their team’s fanbase, it hasn’t all been euphoric for them in terms of treatment by their own fanbase. 

In light of Mitchell’s viral exit interview, when she shaded the Indiana fanbase for their treatment of her, Boston’s 2024 exit interview has resurfaced on social media. Two years apart, both stars have one common issue with the fans: their treatment of players. 

“Being on this team to start this season, I was on the other end of those hate comments,” Boston told reporters in the resurfaced exit interview. “They say they support the Fever and everything like that, but I mean, they said everything under the earth.”

In 2024, Boston was playing her second season after winning the Rookie of the Year award, and Caitlin Clark was in her rookie year. Boston had a hard time gaining momentum during that season, but she picked up later. 

“I think it was a big reason as to why I took a break from social media. And at the same time, now that the tables have turned, and we started winning games, and I was playing better in their opinion, and now all of a sudden it was like loud comments, and it’s hard as a player because every single night [we can’t be great],” she added. 

In the 2024 season, the Fever lost 10 of their first 13 games of the season, and Boston found herself at the end of intense criticism from the fans. After the 13th game, the Fever won four consecutive games that brought some hope among the fans, but Boston didn’t forget their treatment. The Fever made the playoffs, but exited in the first round.

Her comments have resurfaced because of what Kelsey Mitchell said about the Fever fans. During her exit interview, Mitchell told reporters about her experience with the Fever fans as one of the franchise stars. The Fever’s scoring leader said she received unpleasant messages. 

“I think the hardest part about being a Fever girl. I’ve been a part of it a long time, but the last couple years, I don’t think people really understand how much we endure, man.

“If I showed y’all my DMs about the hate and all of the stuff that comes with being a professional athlete, but specifically being an Indiana Fever basketball player, it’s a lot that goes into that. Those days are hard as hell, man, because we wake up every day giving our best, and unfortunately, to some of the people in the world and to the fans of the world, the basketball world, it’s not always [good].”

Mitchell has been Indiana’s best scorer. She takes a lot of offensive load off her teammates. But there have been times when she has struggled, and consequently the Fever as a team. Does that mean that Mitchell is not ready to give her 100%?

“You’re not going to give your best all the time, and that’s not enough for people. So, I think we as players endure a lot that people don’t really understand about like showing up every day to compete for fans that may or may not like you is hard. I don’t think people understand that,” she added. 

Mitchell also said that no matter what fans felt like, a player was not going to have her best game in every game. Struggles were part of being an athlete, but the Fever star wants “grace” from her fans. 

The comments show an apparent discontent among players about the fanbase. This has garnered more attention because Mitchell is a free agent, and perhaps she might want to look for another home for the 2027 season.

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