Prayers: Weeks After Being Drafted, WNBA Star Saniya Rivers, Mom Has Passed [VIDEO]

NC State Women’s basketball star guard Saniya Rivers days leading up to the 2025 WNBA draft was humbly soaking in everything the draft experience had to offer leading right up to her dreams coming true when her name was called in the first round selected by the Connecticut Sun with the No. 8 pick.  That was on April 14, 2025 just about 2 weeks ago.  Saniya Rivers who was whisked away almost immediately following the draft to start her new professional career at training camp.  With the start of the 2025 WNBA season approaching, the first week of May, Saniya Rivers world has been shook once again.  Sadly, because of the passing of her number one fan, her mother.

Prayers are in order as WNBA Connecticut Sun, Saniya River’s at the age of 22 has lost her mother.  The WNBA rising star, Saniya Rivers, shared the news of her mothers passing on her IG stories.

Saniya Rivers mother, Dee Dee Toon Rivers, was instrumental in shaping Saniya’s basketball career. As a basketball player herself, Dee Dee was the backbone who taught Saniya the nuances of the sport.  

No official cause of death has been given and none is needed as we will be keeping this young sista, Saniya Rivers, uplifted in our prayers.