WNBA Rookie Makes Emotional Admission on A’ja Wilson Impact on Her Career originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Connecticut Sun rookie guard Saniya Rivers has a special relationship with WNBA All-Star center A’ja Wilson, who has had a profound impact on her career.
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The 22-year-old was at the All-Star game practice on Friday as a reporter representing the league, but when she saw Wilson on the court, Rivers took a trip down memory lane to discuss her connection with her.
Rivers said she knew Wilson through playing for Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks, where Rivers took part in the school’s national championship win in 2021-22 while Wilson led them from 2014-18.
“I’ve known her since South Carolina, I don’t know if she knew me, but I’ve known her for a minute,” Rivers said in a video the WNBA posted on its X account. “She’s always someone I’ve gravitated towards because she’s someone young girls look up to, including myself.”
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After playing her freshman season with the Gamecocks, Rivers played the remainder of her collegiate career with the NC State Wolfpack. She was selected No. 8 overall by the Sun and made her WNBA debut against Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces on May 20.
“In my debut game, she caught the ball on the post, and it was a switch,” Rivers recalled. “I never took charge in my life, but was pre-determined [that] I was going to take charge because I didn’t want her to dunk on me.”
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“But she passed it out and was smiling, but she was talking to me on the free throw line a few possessions later and told me she’s proud of me.”
Rivers ended her first outing with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals within 25 minutes of action. At the midway point of the season, she is averaging 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Even though Rivers was not selected to be an All-Star, she was able to share the special moment with Wilson. “Much love to A’ja,” Rivers concluded. “She’s a great person and I’m proud of what she’s accomplished.”
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
