Dylan Ribott
Alpha Wolves Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James pose for a photo before the game against Virginia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. NC State lost to Virginia Tech 23-21.
Sometimes there’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned homecoming.
When former star Wolfpack guards Saniya Rivers and Aziaha James returned to Raleigh as the Alpha Wolf starters for NC State football’s matchup against Virginia Tech, they were met with raucous applause from the Wolfpack faithful. Hyping up the crowd with Wolfpack chants and celebrations, it was a worthy homecoming for two NC State women’s basketball legends who gave so much to the program.
An ACC regular-season title, back-to-back ACC Championship appearances, back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths and a Final Four appearance. None of it would have been possible without NC State’s dynamic duo.
It’s been almost six months since they last called Raleigh home, but to no one’s surprise, they’ve each made a strong impact on their new WNBA teams.
Rivers, the No. 8 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, teamed up with No. 7 pick Aneesah Morrow — the same player who singlehandedly eliminated NC State in the Sweet 16 — and brought their talents to the Connecticut Suns, a franchise that finished second in the Eastern Conference in 2024 and reached the semifinals.
Now, the Sun experienced a down year after losing DeWanna Bonner, DiJonai Carrington and Alyssa Thomas in the offseason. The team finished 11-33, but Rivers shone bright.
The defensive menace showed out, leading the team in steals and blocks. She became the single-season stock leader among rookies in franchise history, marked the highest stock average for guards since 2015 and was the second rookie guard in WNBA history to have 100 steals and blocks.
She didn’t just stand out among the Sun’s rookies. Among all rookies, Rivers finished the season first in blocks, third in steals, fourth in assists and sixth in points. She was a focal point of the Sun’s offensive and defensive schemes, anchoring them on both sides of the floor.
James, the No. 12 pick, teamed up with UConn star Paige Bueckers — once again, another player who eliminated the Wolfpack in the NCAA Tournament in 2022 — in an effort to save the Dallas Wings after a rough 9-31 season.
The tandem brought the Wings to 10-34, which is to be expected during a rebuild. The Wings are focused on building around Bueckers, so James took a backseat scoring role compared to the one she had at NC State. However, that didn’t stop her from making noise.
James averaged 7.5 points — top 10 among rookies — with 12 double-digit outings and three 20-point games. She was the only rookie this season with multiple 20-point, five-assist and three 3-pointer outings. She also stands as just the fifth rookie in WNBA history to total 25 points, five assists, five rebounds and five 3-pointers in a game. Though she no longer has a team centered around her as the primary scorer, James has still found a way to make an impact.
The duo represented NC State to the fullest and further cemented their legacy among the Wolfpack, but both look to become legends in the pros, not just in college. With so much done in just their rookie year alone, look for Rivers and James to take the next step in the 2026 season and become something far greater.