NC State’s Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers make history as WNBA first round picks

It’s a duo that was nearly inseparable for their three years together at NC State. On the court? They were similar to Batman and Robin as dynamic guards that fed off each other with ease. Off the hardwood? Best friends that will end up in each other’s weddings – likely in a prominent role during the ceremony – when those occur. 

That doesn’t count the 79-26 overall record in the three years together in Raleigh, including a trip to the 2024 Final Four in Cleveland. Oh, and they had matching shoelaces through an Adidas NIL deal ahead of this year’s Sweet 16 matchup with LSU in Spokane, Wash.

Now, they’ve made history again. 

NC State senior guards Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James became the first Wolfpack duo to be selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft in the same year, eighth and 12th overall, respectively, on Monday night in New York City. 

The Pack’s two-headed monster, which combined to lead the program in every major statistical category (except rebounding) this season, was the only set of teammates to be selected in the first round of this year’s event. NC State is now the 13th program to accomplish the feat in the 28-year history of the WNBA. 

For James, who wore a grin from the moment she heard her name called by Commissioner Cathy Englebert called her name at the end of the opening round, being able to accomplish this historic accomplishment with Rivers is what she’ll cherish forever. 

“I love that girl to death,” James said in her post-draft press conference. “We call each other our twins and we’re sisters for life. … We just love each other so much. We work hard. We have ups and downs. We had so much adversity coming towards us, and just to see both our names called in the first round, it shows a lot. 

“It shows a lot about Coach [Wes] Moore’s character, how he pushes us every day and how he motivates us and not only us but the rest of the team.”

Rivers, a do-it-all guard for the Pack, went off the board first to a rebuilding Connecticut Sun. She was an All-ACC First Team, ACC All-Defensive Team and All-America honorable mention in each of the last two seasons as she became one of the marquee players in the ACC. 

A former South Carolina transfer, Rivers wasn’t sure how she’d blossom at the collegiate level as a reserve with the Gamecocks. But NC State coach Wes Moore, a demanding yet methodical basketball mind, helped develop Rivers into one of the top collegiate players in the nation. 

“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,” Rivers said, just moments after being selected. “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 reason that I’m here.”

Under Moore’s tutelage, Rivers became the only player in NC State history to post more than 1,000 points, 600 rebounds, 350 assists, 180 steals and 100 blocks. Not a bad way to grow into the program’s highest draft pick in its history, passing Markeisha Gatling and Kiara Leslie, the 10th overall picks in the 2014 and 2019 drafts, respectively. 

James, meanwhile, is a rare sight in today’s era of college basketball that developed into a Dallas Wings first rounder to team up with No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers in the WNBA.

The Virginia Beach, Va., native was a rarely-used bench piece as a freshman with just 4.2 points in 9.6 minutes a game. But instead of looking elsewhere to play, James stuck it out. 

“I came from middle school winning all three championships in middle school, winning all four state championships in high school,” James said. “Then coming to college and being humbled, I didn’t leave or just give up. I stayed the course. I motivated myself, and I kept working.”

And in turn, she became one of the most-electric scorers in the ACC as she posted at least 16 points in each of the last two seasons to earn first team all-conference honors in both campaigns. 

While both James and Rivers were able to prove themselves as a duo at NC State, they’re now looking to do the same in the WNBA — just as opponents this time. Both have a chip on their shoulder, which will likely serve them well moving into training camp ahead of next month’s season opener. 

“I’m ready to be that rookie that brings a clapping hand in practice and on the bench,” James said. “I’m ready for my number to be called. I’m ready to just be there and just feel the experience and just be ready.”

Rivers, at one point, didn’t know if she wanted to be a pro. That’s changed now. She is one. And she’s ready to make her mark at the next level. 

“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,” Rivers said, “so I’m just more than willing and ready to get ready and start working.”