As a promising guard for the Connecticut Sun, Saniya Rivers‘ basketball journey is nothing short of a fairytale. Her college career spanned across South Carolina Gamecocks and the NC State Wolfpack, where she scored an average of 2.3 points and 1.4 assists per 27 games during her freshman season with the Gamecocks in 2021-22.

However, she transferred to NC in May 2022. The All-time leader made a total of 1,100 points, 600 rebounds, 350 assists, 180 steals, and 100 blocks during her tenure at the Wolfpack, before progressing to the pros. The 8th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft brought her strong sense of discipline and work ethic to the pros.

Her high basketball IQ, ability to effortlessly guard from both positions in the paint, and overall versatility hint at Saniya’s strong basketball background. As someone who brings high familial values on court, Saniya belongs to a very close-knitted family of basketball players. And that is why the recent demise of her mother comes as a huge loss to the entire Rivers family.

Who was Saniya Rivers’ Mother, Dee Dee Toon Rivers? What happened to her?

Saniya River’s mother Dee Dee Toon Rivers was monumental in shaping her daughter’s basketball career. She would ensure Saniya showed court etiquette and constantly upgraded her skills. She even made it a point to attend all of her daughter’s collegiate matches. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old player broke the news of her mother’s passing via social media on Wednesday. Posting a story of her mother this afternoon, River’s wrote, “I have no words for how I feel right now, I love you so much mom. May you rest in peace.”

Though there are no specific details that led to Dee Dee’s untimely demise, there are speculations suggesting that she suffered a fatal stroke. Needless to say, the news sent shockwaves across the basketball industry, with several fans and analysts mourning the unbearable loss. Distraught fans have been pouring prayers and condolences for the young player who just happened to lose the most important person in her life.

“Saniya Rivers losing her mom during her rookie year is truly heartbreaking. She’s going through so much during such a big moment in her life,” a fan remarked on X (former Twitter). The loss is amplified, especially since this is an extremely crucial year for Saniya who will be playing as a professional for the very first time. And guess who will not be there to support her during the most important time of her life anymore!

While Dee Dee was seen accompanying her daughter to the WNBA draft just two weeks prior, she would no longer be able to watch her daughter play her rookie season against the Seattle Storm on May 04, 2025. However, it is yet to be seen if the guard continues her journey or decides to take a break.

What did Dee Dee Toon Rivers do for a living? 

After her popular stint in basketball during her college days, Dee Dee Toon Rivers worked as an analyst at the Verizon before passing away. However, other verifiable details regarding her job profile are not publicly available.

As an influential figure in Saniya’s life, Dee Dee instilled strong basketball values in her daughter since a very tender age. Her  involvement in the sport has helped the six-feet-one achieve several accolades during her college career. But more than being a guide and a mentor to Saniya, she was a mother who wanted the best for her daughter. She laid the foundation of her daughter’s career by teaching her resilience and humility for both- the sport and for life. And these are the very teachings that Saniya will carry for the remainder of her life.

Dee Dee had a knack for humour and the mother-daughter duo shared several light-hearted moments that have been captured online. Saniya was closest to her mother, and it was evident in their online and offline appearances. The Sun’s player had shared a heartwarming video of her parents’ anniversary where the two are seen singing and dancing together, strengthening the fact that they shared a strong familial bond.

Was Saniya Rivers’ Mother a basketball player too?

Saniya Rivers was born to Jimmy Donnell Rivers and Dee Dee Toons Rivers. While her father played basketball at Elon College, her mother Dee Dee was a basketball player for University of North Carolina Wilmington. Growing up in a family of players, basketball was not just another sport-it was a way of life.

When Saniya too showed a keen interest in the family sport, Dee Dee was quick to notice and encouraged her daughter to pursue her dream career. She was a monumental figure in shaping Saniya’s basketball career and rightly so! When Saniya decided to step back from her career citing mental health conditions, it was Dee Dee who stood like a rock and encouraged her through all the emotional and mental upheavals.

So when Saniya decided to join her mother’s alma mater in 2022, the NC head coach Moore said, “We’re excited about bringing Saniya back home. She is one of the most decorated players to come out of our state and will make a major impact on our program. She has the ability to score in a variety of ways and put up big numbers but also has great court vision that leads to scoring opportunities for her teammates.

“In addition, Saniya’s length and athleticism makes her a prolific two-way player who can impact a game on either end of the floor – both on the boards and in making ‘defense leads to offense’ types of plays. Saniya will only add to the energy and excitement around our program,” she added.

With her mother gone, everyone connected to Dee Dee can feel a hole in their hearts. This is not just a loss for the Rivers family but for the entire basketball fraternity. We all have collectively lost a resilient and strong-headed former basketball player, an electrifying analyst, and most importantly- a highly understanding and empowering mother, who also happened to be the most important person in Saniya’s life.