The Connecticut Sun are undoubtedly the worst team in the league. They rank last in offensive and defensive ratings and just cannot win games. It’s been a tough season for Sun fans, but there have been some bright spots.
One bright spot is new rookie Leila Lacan, who just joined the team after playing in EuroBasket and is already making an impact on both ends of the floor. Saniya Rivers should be another cause for excitement among Sun fans.
The Sun drafted Saniya Rivers with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. While her offensive game is still rather raw, Rivers has already established herself as a great defender at the WNBA level. That is not an easy thing to do for a rookie, and it gives Rivers the perfect foundation to work with.
Saniya Rivers has all the tools to become a top defender in the WNBA
At 6’1, Saniya Rivers brings great size to the guard position. Size isn’t her only advantage as a defender, though. Rivers has quick hands, moves her feet well, can put pressure on ball handlers, and knows how to get into passing lanes when she is in help defense.
Rivers is currently the only guard averaging at least one block per game. She also ranks fifth in steals across the league with 1.8. She is the only rookie in the top five in steals per game and one of two in the top ten. The other rookie is Paige Bueckers, who averages 1.7 steals per game. On top of that, Rivers also defends very cleanly. She averages only 1.9 fouls per game.
Defense is something many rookies tend to struggle with. It usually takes them some time to adjust to the speed and physicality of the WNBA. Going from playing in college or overseas to defending the best players in the world is never an easy task. Rivers, however, already looks like a future All-Defensive Team member 20 games into her WNBA career.
That alone will guarantee Rivers time on the court. She still has work to do offensively—going into the All-Star break, she is shooting less than 38 percent from the field for her rookie season—and her defense will grant her the time she needs to work on other aspects of her game.
Saniya Rivers was already a great defender in college
While at NC State, Rivers was named to two ACC All-Defensive Teams. She ranks ninth in NC State history in total blocks and twelfth in steals. Rivers is also the only player to record at least 1,100 points, 600 rebounds, 350 assists, 180 steals, and 100 blocks while playing for the school.