NC State thrives with friendship between two stars

Saniya Rivers and Mimi Collins are roommates, friends and teammates who thrive together on the court. Their bond stretches beyond their respective NC State careers but, when they ended up in Raleigh together, they built a connection that is now helping the Pack contend for another ACC title. 

In the final minute of the first half during a hard-fought 63-59 win over North Carolina, Rivers drove to the hoop for a layup. The guard said UNC probably fouled her, but that did not knock her out of the possession. 

Rivers stayed with the play, secured a tip by freshman forward Maddie Cox and rocketed a pass into the paint for a cutting Collins. She converted the wide open layup. 

“Mimi is always there when I need her, so that was a big play for her,” Rivers said. 

“I was tired,” Collins added. “I’m not going to lie to you, I did not want to run, but I saw how wide open I was.”

Rivers and Collins each scored 14 points to pace the Pack against the Tar Heels and also grabbed 9 and 7 rebounds, respectively, to lead NC State on the glass as well. They upperclassmen stars both played huge parts in the win. 

Collins is in the middle of a particularly hot streak of play right now. The graduate student, playing her second season with the Wolfpack, recorded at least 14 points and 5 rebounds in each of her past 6 games. 

“Being  a super senior, your two months is coming up,” Collins said. “I just want to make the most of it and just try to do what’s best, and I just have great teammates. They set me up perfectly, and I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me.”

The Wolfpack stars mentioned this is their last run together multiple times during Thursday’s press conference. This is their second season in NC State uniforms. After considering teaming up at Maryland, Collins’ previous school, they ended up with the Pack. 

“When I left, I said ‘Yo, I ain’t gonna lie, I’m leaving. Don’t go there.’” Collins said.  “We’ve been locked in since we first met.”

Now, they live together and have forged a strong friendship on and off the court. Before the UNC game, they were watching a hype video that NC State’s creative team put together. Collins does not hide her emotion on the court, which showed up throughout the video and Rivers loved it. 

The point guard said that energy is infectious. When Rivers forced a critical jump ball turnover with 25 seconds remaining, the graduate forward made sure to hype up her teammate. That means a lot to Rivers. She was more inclined to brush that play off, but Collins’ celebration and excitement validated the game-changing moment. 

“She’s a great teammate, she’s a great friend,” Rivers said. 

Collins encourages Rivers to speak up and lead the team. She said the Pack has plenty of confidence in the point guard. 

In the fourth quarter against the Tar Heels, the junior grabbed 4 key rebounds, dished out an assist that led to a three by senior guard Madison Hayes and hit the critical free throw that extended the lead to 4 points with 7 seconds remaining. 

“She’s the head of the snake, and we have a full amount of trust and faith in her,” Collins said. “Obviously, she got the job done, and she got us an order.”

Rivers and Collins feed off each other on the basketball court and form a core duo that will help propel the Pack to whatever heights the program reaches this season. In their last season together, they’re continuing to help each other grow. 

“I was quiet last year,” Rivers said. “I didn’t do too much and, now that we’re both playing more important minutes, I have to be a dog because she’s going to yell at me if I’m not. We spend a lot of time together, we’ve become closer on and off the court, so I wish her the best and I know she wishes the same for me.”