Saniya Rivers’ WNBA debut was missing one familiar face in the crowd—her mother’s. But when Saniya stepped onto the court for the very first time, she did so with her signature, radiant smile. Because this wasn’t just her dream—it was her mom’s too. And Saniya was living it. Living it for the wonderful woman who used to go on adventures as a Girl Scout. And her smile? Everyone could see where she got it from. As her mother’s classmate had said, “I remember her (Dee’s) strength, determination, and that unforgettable smile that lit up the gym“.
Last month, Rivers was drafted 8th overall by the Connecticut Sun. Her standout defense and court awareness had analysts calling her a steal, and fans were eager to see her in action, hopeful for the spark she’d bring to the Sun. But just days after sharing a joyful, unforgettable hug with her mom on draft night, the Rivers family was met with an unimaginable loss. “We’re just glad she was here to see the draft,” Saniya’s father said. And yet, Saniya stood tall, carrying not just her game, but her mother’s dream, her spirit, and her strength onto the floor. In every step of hers, there was a purpose. It was more than the beginning of her WNBA career—it was a continuation of her mother’s belief in her, played out on the biggest stage yet.
Demetria “Dee Dee” Toon Rivers, Saniya’s mother, passed away from congestive heart failure. While she had been sick, the death was unexpected, according to her husband, Donnell. Saniya was in the training camp then and flew back home in the middle of it to be with her family. “Saniya got here about 10:35 this morning and was able to see her for about ten minutes before she passed,” Mr. Rivers said. “I took her to the hospital Monday because fluid was building up. They kept her and moved her to ICU yesterday.”
After the Sun understandably excused her from preseason duties, it was expected that Saniya would appear a little rusty on the court. But as Demetria watched from the heavens, her daughter put on a debut fitting to honor the woman who wasn’t only an idol figure but also someone who made it easy for others to start a conversation. While Connecticut lost the game, Rivers was one of the lone bright spots for them. In 25 minutes, Saniya registered 11 points, two steals, two assists, and a block, playing the majority of the second half. And after she’d kept it together for the entirety of the game, she finally let go.
Saniya Rivers after her first game following the passing of her mother, via @maggie_vanoni:
“This night meant the world to me because this is what she wanted for me.”
Rivers had 11 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL in her WNBA debut.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) May 21, 2025
“I’ve been trying not to cry like all day,” Rivers said as she wiped a tear from her eye. Silence briefly filled the air as the 22-year-old from Wilmington, NC, wrestled her emotions. “Sorry, I needed this cry so I appreciate it,” Rivers said. “(My teammates have) done so much for me, on and off the court. I wasn’t with them for like two weeks and Tina (Charles), alone, checking in on me every day. It’s just amazing, she didn’t have to and she was just on me every day. ‘How are you? You need anything?’”
Reflecting on her debut, Saniya shared how, despite the absence of her mother, it was she who made this game mean so much for the rookie. “This night meant the world to me because this is what she wanted for me,” she said. And while her beloved Dee couldn’t be present, every bit of her presence was felt as her daughter won hearts with her performance.
Saniya’s WNBA journey: A dream powered by Mama Rivers
It wasn’t just raw talent that propelled Saniya Rivers to the WNBA; it was the unwavering love and profound wisdom of her mother, affectionately called Dee Dee Toon Rivers. Dee Dee wasn’t just a spectator; she was the guiding light behind Saniya’s remarkable basketball journey.
Basketball wasn’t just a sport in the Rivers household; it was woven into the very fabric of their being. With Saniya’s father, Jimmy Donnell Rivers, playing at Elon, and her half-sister, Nanna Rivers, making waves at NC State, the court was practically a second home. But it was Dee Dee’s own collegiate career at UNC Wilmington that gave her a unique lens, an intuitive understanding of the game’s intricate dance. From packed high school gyms to the grand stages of college basketball, Dee Dee was Saniya’s constant shadow, her biggest cheerleader, her quiet confidante. You’d find her at every single one of Saniya’s games, acting as her daughter’s anchor.
Dee Dee’s influence stretched far beyond the fundamentals of dribbling and shooting. She was the one who instilled the very soul of the game in Saniya, teaching her not just about court etiquette, but about the relentless pursuit of self-improvement. Yet, her greatest gift was perhaps teaching Saniya resilience and humility – lessons that transcended the hardwood. When Saniya faced her deepest struggles, contemplating stepping away from the game due to mental health challenges, it was Dee who became her rock. She “stood like a rock and encouraged her through all the emotional and mental upheavals,” reminding Saniya of the strength that lay within her.
Having walked the path herself, Dee Dee possessed invaluable foresight. She knew the grueling demands of high-level basketball and was Saniya’s personal guide to the future. “I’ve been preparing her because I know what it looks like at the next level,” Dee wisely shared. “And it’s not all peaches and cream, there’s going to be some hard work involved.” This wasn’t a warning; it was empowerment, equipping Saniya with the truth and the tools she needed to conquer. So, as we appreciate Saniya and her impressive basketball talent, it wouldn’t have been possible without Dee.
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