Hive BC is one of two new teams to join Unrivaled. Its roster is filled with players new to the league and its unique format. Natisha Hiedeman, who was an injury replacement player last year, is the only Hive player with any Unrivaled experience. Rena Wakama’s team has struggled in its first two games of the season, losing first to the Mist and then to the Breeze.
The second game showcased some improvements compared to the team’s Unrivaled debut, though. In the second half, the Hive was locked in defensively. Youngster Saniya Rivers led the way with an outstanding defensive performance.
She finished the game with six blocks and two steals. Her six blocks were the most of any Unrivaled player this season. Alanna Smith recorded five in the Mist’s season opener. While Hive BC still has a lot to learn and figure out, one thing is for certain: Saniya Rivers can be a defensive standout in any format.
Rivers has many defensive accolades in her future
Saniya Rivers’s defensive talent is no secret. She was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team in 2024 and 2025 and her defensive skill set immediately translated to the WNBA in her rookie season.
With 38 total blocks, Rivers led all rookies and all guards, including veterans. The only other guard who racked up over 30 blocks was Skylar Diggins with 35. Chelsea Gray was next in line with 28. When it comes to rookies, Rivers recorded ten more blocks than Dominique Malonga, who finished second with 28. Rivers also finished fourteenth in total blocks among all WNBA players, regardless of experience or position.
Rivers has all the tools to be one of the best defensive guards in the game. She is tall, quick, and athletic, and has great defensive instincts.
Despite being a rookie, Rivers was a strong contender to make an All-Defensive team at the end of the season. She didn’t, as veteran bigs dominated the voting. Rhyne Howard and Veronica Burton were the only guards to make an All-Defensive team.
Considering that Rivers will only get better from here on out, she should quickly establish herself as a regular in the conversations around the best defenders in the game. If she keeps up these strong performances, she may even be a contender for Unrivaled’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
However, both in Unrivaled and in the W, her teams’ lack of success could hurt her case for any individual accolades.