NC State guard Saniya Rivers will face off against a familiar foe in the Final Four. The , 76-66, in the Elite Eight, bringing them one step closer to a dance in the NCAA national championship game. All that stands in between them and culminating contest is No. 1-seed — Rivers’ former team. As a freshman, Rivers played an integral role in helping South Carolina secure its second national championship in program history by providing much-needed energy off the bench. Over 27 games, she averaged 13 minutes — the third-most of any Gamecocks reserve player — 2.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Against Louisville in the Final Four, Rivers turned in one of her best performances of the season, amassing three points, four assists and two steals in South Carolina’s 72-59 victory. Yet two weeks later, she announced on
Social Media that she’d be entering the transfer portal. “I was not the piece of the puzzle they were looking for and the piece of the puzzle they wanted me to be,” Rivers shortly after making the decision. “I know I’m good enough to play there, but the fit wasn’t what I thought it would be coming into my freshman year. “We won a national championship together. Nobody can take that from us,” she continued. “The fan base, I’ll miss them. They’ve made me feel really good all year and their support was something I didn’t know was coming. I’ll always have a piece of South Carolina with me, even if I’m not wearing that jersey anymore.” Rivers took her talents to NC State, which ranked as one of her top three schools during her first round of recruitment. The in the 2021 class immediately made her presence felt with the Wolfpack, earning the ACC Sixth Player of the Year award her sophomore season. Thanks to her strong play, Rivers was given the starting nod at point guard this year by NC State head coach Wes Moore. She didn’t let the opportunity go to waste, averaging 12.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists across 34 games. Rivers has elevated her game when the lights have shone brightest, recording 15 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game in the NCAA Tournament. Ahead of the Wolfpack’s recent win over the Longhorns, she revealed that her current run for a national title is more rewarding than her previous one with South Carolina. "I got the opportunity. Most freshmen don't get the opportunity, most people don't get the opportunity to win a national championship,” she . “To feel like I'm playing more and being a part and contributing to a Final Four and a championship would feel amazing."