7 players who can impact the race to the women's basketball Final Four

Aliyah Boston

When the 2020 NCAA women's basketball tournament begins next month, there will be a handful of players who rise above the rest. These are the players built for March, the ones determined to reach their sport's biggest stage at the Final Four.

This year, several teams have emerged as legit Final Four contenders. And beyond that, we've seen a sampling of what their top players are capable of in big games on big stages. When games get tight, these are the players who can make a difference.

These are the players who can impact the race to the 2020 Final Four.

Aliyah Boston (193-F-01), South Carolina

It's hard to believe she's just a freshman, but the play of Boston has been a big reason why South Carolina is ranked No. 1 overall in the AP Top 25 poll. Boston is second in the SEC in field goal percentage (62.9), fifth in rebounds per-game (9.0) and second in blocks per-game (2.7).

The 6-5 native of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands has been a force all season long for the Gamecocks. She notched a triple-double in her first collegiate game, grabbed 25 rebounds in a win over then-ranked No. 21 Arkansas, and scored 21 points in a win over then-ranked No. 9 Mississippi State. Boston also played well in South Carolina's November win over No. 2 Baylor, piling up 20 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks.

And in a win over UConn - South Carolina's first after eight unsuccessful tries - Boston showed a different wrinkle to her game, knocking down a 3-pointer. She finished the game with 13 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and three steals.

'I've started to get a little more confident when it comes to my outside shot,' Boston said. 'I've been working on it in practice a little bit more.'

Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley added: 'It wasn't an emphasis going in. I just felt like, we could not get her the ball in the paint. Let her step out. Let her shoot.'

Boston expanding her shooting range was something UConn didn't expect. If she keeps improving her game, other teams should be fearful in March.

Tags : ALIYAH BOSTON, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, USA BASKETBALL