shocking turn of events Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston was rushed to IU Health Methodist Hospital early Tuesday morning, sources close to the team confirmed. The 23-year-old All-Star, fresh off earning her third consecutive All-Star nod and All-Defensive Second Team honors, is battling acute food poisoning believed to stem from a contaminated meal during an outing with her friends in downtown Indianapolis.
Boston, the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year and No. 1 overall draft pick, attended a team-organized fundraiser Monday evening at a local Italian bistro, where she dined on seafood linguine and fresh salads. Hours later, around 2 a.m., she experienced violent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps—classic symptoms of bacterial contamination, possibly from undercooked shellfish or norovirus, according to medical experts. Paramedics responded to her Gainbridge Fieldhouse-area residence after a frantic call from her roommate, Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell.
“Aliyah is tough as nails on the court, but this hit her hard,” said Indiana Fever General Manager Amber Cox in a statement. “We’re all praying for a quick recovery. She’s not just a star; she’s the heart of our franchise.” Cox noted Boston’s pivotal role in the Fever’s 2025 playoff push, where she averaged 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists despite a grueling schedule.
Health officials from the Marion County Public Health Department are investigating the bistro, which temporarily shuttered its kitchen pending inspections. Preliminary tests suggest staphylococcal enterotoxin or Salmonella as culprits, common in mishandled seafood. No other team members reported symptoms, but Boston’s case echoes recent outbreaks, like the 46 hospitalizations from a shared workplace dish in Maryland last year.
Boston, born in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and a South Carolina legend with two national titles, was en route to a Phantom of Unrivaled offseason camp when illness struck. Teammates rallied on social media: Caitlin Clark posted, “Praying for you, sis. Get back stronger! 💜” while Mitchell added, “Family first. We’ve got you.”
Doctors expect Boston to remain hospitalized 24-48 hours for IV fluids and monitoring, with full recovery anticipated within a week. The WNBA issued a supportive tweet: “Sending strength to Aliyah Boston. Rest up, champion.” Fans flooded Gainbridge with “Pray4Aliyah” signs, underscoring her impact beyond basketball.
This incident highlights rising food safety concerns in sports circles, following Cal field hockey’s 12-player hospitalization before an ACC tourney. As Boston fights back, the Fever faithful hold vigil—proof that even gridiron giants can fell to a rogue prawn.
