RIVERS averaged 36.8 points, 12.1 rebounds, 6.1 steals and
20 october 2022
WBM
5.8 assists per game during her senior year at Ashley High,
where she surpassed the 2,000-career point mark.
Rivers had her pick of any college, having been recruited
by all the top programs. She chose South Carolina, where she appeared
in 27 games. Her 12.9 minutes per game was the most of any freshman at
USC, but not enough time to perform at her capability. She averaged
2.3 points and 1.4 assists, which took a toll on her confidence.
“We told her, ‘Look, we put too much money into your teeth, we need
to see that smile, so you need to be trying to figure out how you are going
to smile,’” says Jimmy Rivers.
Rivers, who admits to wanting to leave mid-season, helped her team
to the championship by playing a combined 25 minutes in the Final Four.
She logged 20 minutes in the semifinal against Louisville, delivering 4 assists,
2 steals, 1 block and 3 points.
“Going to SC and being part of that championship culture was
absolutely good for her; I think that’s going to add to her life forever.
At the same time, I think the individual sometimes needs something a
little bit different and sometimes you don’t know what that is until you
get in an environment and see how you thrive or don’t thrive and you
Above: Saniya Rivers now wears NC State’s
signature red and No. 22, the same number
she wore at Ashley High School. Top: Rivers
trains with State’s team in July 2022.
ANDREW YATES/NC STATE ATHLETICS
ANDREW YATES/NC STATE ATHLETICS
“For the strength
of the pack is
the wolf and the
strength of the
w o lf is the pack.” — Rudyard Kipling