“This is what I like about Aliyah Boston”: Jason Whitlock slams online hate toward Fever center after Lexie Hull cops brutal hit
Sports commentator Jason Whitlock has come to the defense of Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston after she faced a wave of online backlash following a hard-fought WNBA matchup. The controversy arose when Fever guard Lexie Hull absorbed a brutal hit during the game, sparking debate among fans and critics about Boston’s role in the physical exchange.
While some voices online were quick to criticize Boston, accusing her of reckless play, Whitlock pushed back strongly. Speaking on his platform, he praised Boston’s toughness, poise, and leadership in a league where physicality has always been part of the game. “This is what I like about Aliyah Boston,” Whitlock said. “She doesn’t run from contact. She plays the game the right way — with grit, with power, and with respect for competition. The hate she’s getting online says more about the people spewing it than it does about her.”
Whitlock highlighted how female athletes often face disproportionate criticism compared to their male counterparts when games get physical. He pointed out that in men’s basketball, collisions and hard fouls are often celebrated as part of the sport’s intensity, whereas women’s players are unfairly scrutinized. “Boston is a young star who embodies everything fans should want — skill, toughness, and character. She shouldn’t be vilified for playing hard,” he added.
Aliyah Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year, has quickly established herself as a cornerstone for the Fever. Her composure in the face of criticism, Whitlock argued, only proves her resilience. As the debate rages on across social media, voices like Whitlock’s are reframing the conversation: not as an indictment of Boston, but as a reminder of the double standards in sports culture and the need to celebrate athletes who compete with heart.
