Saniya Rivers, a WNBA rookie and guard for the NC State Wolfpack, has often said that basketball runs in the family.
After the draft, she shared that her mom, dad, sister, and brother played the game.
She got her first mini basketball hoop at two or three years old and quickly became obsessed with shooting. She often practiced at all hours and kept her family on their toes.
Luckily, Saniya, a former basketball standout at Ashley High School and star at NC State, was surrounded by her family on WNBA draft night, including her mother, Demetria—affectionately known as Dee.
The family was grateful that Demetria witnessed that special moment before her passing at the age of 47 due to congestive heart failure on 30 April.
Saniya Rivers Mourns The Loss Of Her Mother
Her mother, Dee Dee Toon Rivers, played college basketball at UNC Wilmington.
Further, her father, Jimmy Donnell Rivers, also has a strong basketball background, having played at Elon University.
It seems that Saniya Rivers’s mother has passed.
byu/sneeperspy inwnba
With both parents being former college players, it’s no surprise that Saniya developed her skills early and excelled in the sport.
Well, she began her college basketball career with the South Carolina Gamecocks and later transferred to play for the NC State Wolfpack.
During her freshman season at South Carolina in 2021–22, she appeared in 27 games, averaging 2.3 points and 1.4 assists per game.
Now that Saniya is facing a heartbreaking personal loss during what should be one of the most exciting times in her life.
As she prepares for her rookie season in the WNBA, the passing of her mother, Dee Dee, has added a heavy emotional weight.
Fans have expressed deep sympathy, recognizing how difficult it must be to lead a major life milestone without her biggest supporter.
@espnw Saniya Rivers and her dad after #ncstate’s win ❤️ #ncstate #collegebasketball #wbb #espnmarchmadness ♬ original sound – espnW
Dee Dee was by Saniya’s side at the WNBA Draft two weeks ago, proudly watching her daughter get selected eighth overall.
Sadly, she won’t see Saniya play her first professional game against the Seattle Storm on May 4, 2025.
It remains uncertain whether Saniya will continue her season as planned or take time off to grieve and be with her family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Saniya Rivers joined NC State in the summer of 2022 as a highly regarded transfer, ranked No. 6 nationally by ESPN.
- In her senior season (2024–25), she earned All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Defensive Team honors for the second straight year, along with a WBCA All-America Honorable Mention.
- She was one of 10 players named to the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Midseason Watch List and led the team in several categories, including assists, steals, blocks, defensive rebounds, and minutes per game.
