WNBA DRAFT

April 14, 2025

Saniya Rivers

Connecticut Sun

Q. There was a lot of preparation that you could do, a lot of stuff you could anticipate today, but was there something, a moment today that took you by surprise that you're really going to treasure from this whole experience?

SANIYA RIVERS: I think the whole experience is something to treasure, honestly. The whole weekend I felt absolutely blessed. I think the fact that my family is just here supporting me at the table and in the crowd is just -- means the world to me. Like I said already, they've sacrificed so much time, money, energy, and just the fact they're sitting here with me today and the fact that I'm talking to you guys today is so surreal.

So, I'm just grateful for the opportunity.

Q. Could you just articulate what it is about NC State that led you to make that decision and if you were to talk to somebody about attending NC State, what would you suggest to them in that regard in terms of preparing you for that moment?

SANIYA RIVERS: Yeah, you have to have a mental toughness to play at NC State. Coach [Wes] Moore, very passionate, I said it all season. He's a tough coach to play for but it's only because he cares, and he recruits good people, and I feel like that's why he gave me a second chance to come in since I came from South Carolina. He recruits good people, only wants good people with him to succeed, and he creates great players, and I'm just blessed that I had the opportunity to play for him. He's part of the season that I'm here.

To girls that are looking for a program or have already committed to NC State, just stay the course, stay in the moment. If he's hard on you, it's because that he knows that you're capable and he just has high standards. So just keep going and maybe you end up where I'm sitting, and that's the hope.

Q. How do you feel about you and Aneesah Morrow both going to the Connecticut Sun? What are your thoughts on playing with her?

SANIYA RIVERS: That's my dog. I'm so happy to be playing with her. I was literally telling people, like playing against her in the W is going to be so tough. I literally had to guard her in the Sweet 16 and I was just like, uh-uh. We're not doing that.

Just to be able to team up with her, she has that dog mentality and she's just a great person on and off the court, a great teammate. I've seen her be a great teammate to others. So, I'm looking forward to playing alongside her and growing together, and we're going to make some noise for sure.

Q. When you look back over this night, 10, 20 years from now, what is going to be the thing that you remember the most?

SANIYA RIVERS: I think just having the opportunity. I don't really know what else to say other than that. This is a blessing only a couple of people get the opportunity to be here, and then only a couple people get the opportunity to be in this position to sit.

So I think 10, 15 years later I'm just going to look and say that I was blessed and God put me here. He doesn't put me in situations or anyone in situations that they can't handle.

So just to be here I know that I'm more than capable and I know that I haven't scratched the surface of the player I can be, so I'm just more than willing and ready to get ready and start working.

Q. Obviously we've got to talk about the center of attention, the bag. To you why was it important to have this and show it off to everybody?

SANIYA RIVERS: I mean, I use it as motivation. I was just like, I'm at the WNBA Draft, I'm hoping to be a WNBA player, and just as the bag says, we're poppin. I wanted to speak it into existence and be a part of the poppin crew, and now that I'm here, I can say that I'm truly ready to pop it.

It's crazy, shout out to Golden, she's my designer for this whole thing, my stylist, and she had the bag on hand. I'm just like, it's perfect, my hair is red, you've got the red word here and then the beige outfit. It came together perfectly.