North Carolina State University Athletics
Rivers Named to Cheryl Miller Small Forward Top 10 List
2/5/2025 1:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State women's basketball student-athlete Saniya Rivers has been named one of ten finalists for the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award. Rivers is a versatile player who has played across several positions this season and has been selected to this midseason top 10 list by the Basketball Hall of Fame's Naismith Starting 5 committee in collaboration with the WBCA.
Rivers averages 12.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, logging a 43.5 percent clip from the field (103-237). She also has tallied 64 assists along with a team-leading 37 steals and 25 blocks.
Rivers has 15 double-digit scoring games, four double-doubles and four 3+ steal games. She has paced the team in rebounding in six different games, including a season-high 25 points and 11 rebounds against Davidson. She also surpassed 1,000 career points against Virginia Tech with her 17 points.
Also on the USBWA Ann Meyers Drysdale Midseason Player of the Year Watch List, as announced on Monday, Rivers was on the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard of the Year Preseason Watch List.
Cheryl Miller established her legacy throughout high school and college basketball as a forward at USC. She averaged over 16 points per game and had over 3,000 career points as a four-time All-American. Miller also led the 1984 Olympic team to gold.
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting. In March, the five finalists will be presented to the Miller and Hall of Fame's selection committees, where the winner will be chosen. The committee includes college basketball personnel, members of the media, head coaches, sport information directors and Hall of Famers. The winner of the 2025 Miller Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date along with the four other members of the Men's and Women's Starting Five.
Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award
Yarden Garzon - Indiana
Mikaylah Williams - LSU
Grace VanSlooten - Michigan State
Saniya Rivers - NC State
Sonia Citron - Notre Dame
Cotie McMahon - Ohio State
Madison Booker - Texas
Sarah Strong - UConn
Alyssa Utsby - North Carolina
Gianna Kneepkens - Utah
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