Ashley coach talks Saniya Rivers being drafted into the WNBA
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) – Ashley girls basketball has had a big week as one of their own is now a professional athlete.
Saniya Rivers, a 2021 graduate of the school, was drafted 8th overall by the Connecticut Sun on Monday in New York. This followed a strong college career at NC State and South Carolina.
Eagles Head Coach Adrienne Gale was in attendance when her name was called and knew that the former All-American and National Player of the Year was destined for stardom.
“She’s the best women’s basketball player I ever saw,” Gale said. “I played against Tamera Young, that was at Laney, that was drafted into the WNBA, but Saniya is like no other. The abilities that she has offensively, defensively, and also her personality. Who she is. The love that surrounds her with her family and who she wants to be and how she treats others. She’s like no other.”
(Source: Adrienne Gale)
She adds that the Rivers family is happy Saniya is staying on the East Coast and going to a community that loves women’s basketball.
As big as it is for Ashley, Gale feels this is even bigger for Wilmington as a whole.
“I just hope that Wilmington embraces Saniya and this accomplishment,” Gale said. “For this to happen in our small community, we need to embrace her journey and what what she’s accomplished. Hopefully she’ll be on our wall someday very soon next to Alex Highsmith and everybody else up there because she earned it and deserved it. This is a huge accomplishment for her.”
(Source: Adrienne Gale)
The Sun open the season at home on May 18.
