NEW YORK CITY, NY (WECT) – Former Ashley High School and North Carolina State women’s basketball star Saniya Rivers has been drafted as #8 pick for Connecticut Sun, according to the WNBA.

“My mom played, dad, sister, brother, everybody so it’s in the blood,” said Rivers. “I got my first mini hoop when I was like two or three. It didn’t take long and I got on their nerves shooting the ball at whatever times of the day.”

Rivers was one of 12 players invited to New York City to attend Monday night’s WNBA draft in-person. Some experts project Rivers to be a first-round draft choice following a stellar career with the Wolfpack in the ACC.

Rivers led N.C. State to the Sweet 16 in her senior season, averaging 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game as the Wolfpack finished 28-7 and ranked ninth in the final Associated Press poll.

“People looked down on us but we believed in ourselves and each other and it was an amazing ride,” said Rivers.

Rivers was named an All-ACC First Team selection and All-Defensive Team choice and earned Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-America Honorable Mention honors.

Rivers won a national championship with South Carolina as a freshman before transferring to North Carolina State. She was the 2021 Gatorade National Player of the Year as a senior at Ashley High School, and was named a McDonald’s All-American following her senior season. She finished as the 16th ranked scorer in NCHSAA history with 2,501 points for Ashley and Laney. During her high school career, her teams lost just one conference game in four years.

Along with Rivers, Aziaha James of the Wolfpack received an invitation to attend the draft Monday night.

“I still can’t put into words waking up this morning being part of a WNBA team. It’s very surreal,” said Rivers. “A lot of people don’t get the opportunity I’m blessed to have right now.”

It’s an opportunity she wasn’t sure she would even get just a few years ago.

“I had some low points and didn’t know if I wanted to pursue basketball after college but here I am,” said Rivers.

Now she’s hoping to inspire others and continue making her family and hometown proud.

“I’m looking to stick,” said Rivers. “It’s my dream to just be apart of a team now. Whatever they need on every given game night, that’s what I’m going to be.”

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