ESPN's Holly Rowe apologizes after naming UConn player instead of Aliyah Boston in Final Four MOP ceremony
Well, this was awkward.
Aliyah Boston capped a dominant season on Sunday by earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors after South Carolina defeated UConn for the national championship. It was the latest major award for Boston after she claimed multiple National Player of the Year honors last week, including the Naismith and Associated Press awards.
Except when it was time to take hold of her latest trophy, she didn't hear her name. Instead, ESPN's Holly Rowe called Aaliyah Edwards' name. Edwards is a sophomore guard for UConn. She was in the building on Sunday. But she certainly wasn't the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.
Aaliyah who? 😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/lB0myUk9nE
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) April 4, 2022
"She picked up every other award in America this week, so she might as well have this one, too," Rowe said as Boston stood next to her. "Aaliyah Edwards, your 2022 Most Outstanding Player."
Oops.
As the crowd quickly turned on Rowe, she realized her mistake.
"Aliyah Boston, Aliyah Boston, Aliyah Boston," Rowe continued. "I'm sorry. Aliyah Boston."
After an awkward few seconds on stage, Boston told Rowe, "I'll take it," despite the gaffe.
Rowe was quick to extend her apology on Twitter.
Boston Boston Boston.
Brain cramps happen! So sorry❤️— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) April 4, 2022
Boston, meanwhile, took a moment to celebrate on social media prior to Rowe's apology.
God is so Good!! National Champs baby‼️‼️ ❤️that frown has been turned upside down 😉
— Aliyah A. Boston (@aa_boston) April 4, 2022
Here's guessing she had better things to do with the rest of her evening than worry about a TV blunder.
Rowe, meanwhile, is beloved and respected in the broadcast and sports communities. She'll surely move on from this mistake.