UNCASVILLE, Conn. ― Saniya Rivers’ WNBA debut was one of the lone bright spots in the Sun’s 87-62 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday.
Rivers had 11 points, two steals, two assists and a block in 25 minutes, playing the majority of the second half as Las Vegas broke the game open midway through the second quarter.
“I have to make the most of my minutes,” Rivers said after the game. “I haven’t really been around the team, I didn’t have much time to prepare — but I took advantage of the time that I did have. I just leaned on my teammates, on my vets and they really instilled a lot of confidence in me (and) a lot of knowledge.”
Rivers flashed her infectious smile throughout the game, reflecting the positive energy that had been poured into her since being drafted by the Sun with the No. 8 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft less than two months ago.
“I don’t know how to put it in words, I’m just honestly blessed and grateful to have the jersey on,” Rivers said before the game. “To be part of (a) new environment and new family, whether my number gets called tonight or not, I’m just blessed to be a part of it.”
Rivers’ transition to the WNBA was brought to a halt when her mother, Demetria Rivers, passed away unexpectedly on Apr. 30. Rivers missed most of training camp following her loss, traveling between Connecticut and North Carolina over the past few weeks.
“It hasn’t been easy,” Rivers said before the game. “If I didn’t have family and the support system here, I’m not sure I’d be as happy as I am right now but it was a hard process.
“I feel bi-polar at times because I’m happy at one point and I’m crying at the next. Honestly, I just learned that my mom is protecting me in a different way and in a different light. The fact that I’m still here and that I’m still able to display my talents for her, I’m blessed in the sky. Even though the process hasn’t been easy, I’m here. I’m just where my feet are and I’m excited.”
Rivers did not have a picture-perfect game, as her defensive mistakes proved costly against a smarter and stronger opponent. She seemed resistant to looking for her shot early on, while also being passive and hesitant in transition.
But her intensity and attention to detail on defense was plain to see and for every mistake made, Rivers learned and began picking up the pace of the game.
“Training camp humbled me a lot, so I already knew the physicality was (going to) be different,” Rivers said. “I’ll forever just love the moment where I got my first block on Chelsea (Gray) and my (steal).
“I look up to Chelsea, she was always a player that I got compared to, a player that I looked up to, so I thought that was pretty cool. And when A’Ja Wilson got the ball on the post, I was like ‘Oh my God, I’m (going to) flop’ because I don’t want her to dunk on me.”
Rivers kept her emotions in check throughout the night with tremendous poise — but when asked to reflect on her debut and what it means to her, Rivers could not hold back any longer.
“I’ve been trying not to cry like all day,” Rivers said as she wiped a tear from her eye.
For 15 seconds, silence filled the air as the 22-year-old woman from Wilmington, NC wrestled her emotions back from the precipice.
“Sorry, I needed this cry so I appreciate it,” Rivers said. “(My teammates have) done so much for me, on and off the court. I wasn’t with them for like two weeks and Tina (Charles), alone, checking in on me every day. It’s just amazing, she didn’t have to and she was just on me every day. ‘How are you? You need anything?’
“You hear stories about other teams and you just don’t know how it’s going to be with a rookie and a vet and the fact that she just stepped up and was playing like a big sister role and just really motivated me.”
Sun coach Rachid Meziane confirmed after the game that the medical staff had suggested a 20-25 minute workload for the former Wolfpack.
But after starting her in the fourth, Meziane decided to roll with Rivers through most of the final quarter after checking in with her.
“Losing my mom, it’s been the toughest thing I’ve ever faced in my life — and I’m playing for her,” Rivers said. “I came out here to play for her and I know she’s looking over me and protecting me in a different way. This night meant the world to me because this is what she wanted for me.
“I never thought I’d be here. I wish she was here to see, but Rachid (Meziane), the coaching staff, they’ve been so consistent and understanding and loving, you’ll never meet another staff that’s as compassionate, as understanding, as caring (and) supporting as them. My mom got the opportunity to meet the staff and the team before she passed and I think she was able to rest because she knew I was in good hands. Even though it’s hard, I know that I’m good hands, I’m loved and I’m with the program that will care for me, look over me, and help me in any shape or form.”
