On The Night of Crushing Paige Bueckers and Co., Revisiting Why Saniya Rivers Left South Carolina

As the game entered its final two minutes, Saniya Rivers confidently dribbled the ball back toward the Wolfpack bench, holding onto an eight-point lead. Her dribble was like a melody, as she aimed to secure a surprising upset. And with that, NC State defeated No. 2 UConn. Despite Saniya’s squad being the top regional seed, the game was a rematch of the 2022 NCAA Elite Eight, which UConn won in double overtime with the support of their home crowd. Adding to the challenge, Conn’s program is widely recognized as one of the best in the game, drawing a loud and often deafening crowd to Reynolds Coliseum.

Saniya Rivers showcased her sheer dominance against the Paige Bueckers’ team. This win was significant for NC State, as it was their first victory against UConn since 1998, when they reached the Final Four under the late Hall of Famer Kay Yow. Before this game, UConn had won six consecutive games against NC State. But it was Saniya and her South Carolina departure that made the victory quite captivating for fans.

Saniya Rivers’ Move to North

Before this contest, freshman Saniya Rivers had left the South Carolina women’s basketball team. She is the third player from Columbia to transfer since the Gamecocks won the 2022 national championship. Eniya Russell and Elysa Wesolek also announced their departures. But it was Rivers’ departure that surprised many. She had helped the Gamecocks to secure the NCAA ring.

With 27 appearances, 13 minutes, and an average of 2.3 points and 1.6 rebounds, Rivers played the third-most minutes of any South Carolina reserve. She contributed significantly to the Gamecocks’ victory over Louisville in the national semifinal, finishing with three points, four assists, and two steals in 20 minutes of action.

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Saniya then went on to pursue her basketball career at North Carolina University. She stated about her transfer: “I was not the piece of the puzzle they were looking for or the piece of the puzzle they wanted me to be. I know I’m good enough to play there, but the fit wasn’t what I thought it would be coming into my freshman year.”

What does the transfer mean to North Carolina?

According to ESPN, Saniya Rivers’ transfer is ranked as the sixth-most significant in the country. She’s known for being a vocal critic of the Wolfpack squad.

During her debut season with the Wolfpack, Saniya played in 31 games, only missing one. She was given the starting position in 12 of those games, including the final four of the season. She averaged 28.0 minutes of play per game and achieved career highs of 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. Her rebounding average led the team, and she also excelled in steals (1.8) and blocks (1.0).

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The crowd at Reynolds Coliseum lately erupted with “M-V-P” chants in response to Rivers’ incredible performance. She finished the game with a double-double, scoring 33 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, providing five assists, making three steals, and blocking three shots. Despite the chants and accolades, Rivers remained focused and present in the moment. She effortlessly maneuvered past an overeager Husky defender, gliding to the basket for an easy two points. With each basket, she added to her already impressive point total, leaving the crowd in awe of her skills.