New achievement unlocked for Boston, Bueckers, and Collier (Image via NBA) Two women’s basketball icons were named on the 2026 Forbes list, including Clark’s Fever colleague Aliyah Boston and Dallas Wings player Paige Bueckers. Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was also labelled a “All-Star Alumni”. On Tuesday, Forbes announced her as one of the honourees on its 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 – USA list under the Sports category at age 23.This honor puts Boston, Collier and Bueckers alongside stars like Clark, who made the 2025 version of the list at age 22, meaning both now belong to the exclusive club of top young sports talents recognized by Forbes.
WNBA star Aliyah Boston’s breakout season lands her on Forbes 30 Under 30
The Indiana Fever had a terrible season in 2025. Aliyah Boston, who played every game for the Fever last season and anchored both ends of the court, distinguished himself as one of the few constants amid the injury troubles.Boston joins Indiana Fever teammate Caitlin Clark in the select club. Boston significantly improved in her third WNBA season, averaging 15.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 44 regular season games. She also added 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks. For the third time in as many seasons, she shattered the franchise single-season record with her 361 total rebounds.Stating the official news, Forbes wrote on X: “Napheesa Collier, Paige Bueckers and Aliyah Boston are the three WNBA Athletes to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Sports Forbes 30 Under 30 is an annual list published by Forbes that highlights 30 outstanding individuals under the age of 30 who are making significant impact in various fields…”However, there’s an obvious explanation for Clark’s exclusion from this year’s list: whether or not a person’s influence has grown, they are nearly always removed from subsequent lists to make room for new names.Since Clark was listed on the 2025 ’30 Under 30 list, she was effectively disqualified from being listed this year. Another example of this is with Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, who was placed on the 2025 ’30 Under 30′ list and hasn’t been put back on ever since.
Forbes 30 Under 30 honors WNBA’s brightest young stars Boston, Collier, and Bueckers for skills and impact
Boston’s ascension ties back to an exceptional collegiate career, during which she won a national title with the South Carolina Gamecocks and garnered several individual distinctions. She was drafted No. 1 overall by the Fever in 2023 and earned the Rookie of the Year title that same year.On the other hand, Napheesa Collier returned to the floor in 2023 and got right back to dominating, placing fourth in scoring and eighth in rebounds. Working with fellow WNBA player Breanna Stewart, she is also developing a new league called Unrivalled to play during the WNBA summer, and she will serve as an advisor for Overtime Select, a new league for high schoolers.Furthermore, Paige, after winning the NCAA title with UConn and being selected first in the 2025 WNBA draft by the Wings, concluded her first year in the league by becoming the 2025 Rookie of the Year, starting in the All-Star Game and averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 36 games with the team.The selection showed the continent’s finest sports performers under the age of 30. These sportsmen left their impact off the court and with their commercial acumen in addition to their skill on the court.Also read: Caitlin Clark backs Napheesa Collier as WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert faces fire over explosive remarks