NC State uses transfer portal to add Saniya Rivers from national champion Gamecocks

Former South Carolina guard Saniya Rivers announced Thursday she is transferring to N.C. State to play for coach Wes Moore and the Wolfpack in 2022-23.

Rivers posted her announcement on Twitter.

Rivers transferring to N.C. State is a big-time pick up for Moore, who has to replace four starters from last season’s Elite Eight team.

The Wilmington native is the third transfer this offseason for the Wolfpack, joining center River Baldwin (Florida State) and forward Mimi Collins (Maryland).

Rivers is one of the most decorated players from North Carolina. She was a three-time North Carolina Player of the Year, a two-time USA Today Player of the Year for North Carolina, the USA Today National Player of the Year (2021), Gatorade National Player of the Year (2021) and a McDonald’s All-American (2021).

Rivers (6-1) was the No. 2 guard, and the No. 3 overall player in the class of 2021, based on ESPN.com’s rankings. At Ashley High School, Rivers averaged 24.4 points per game, 12.4 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 4.5 assists.

As a freshman, Rivers played in 27 games for the national champion South Carolina Gamecocks, averaging 2.3 points per game. She played 25 minutes in the Final Four, scoring a total of four points.

Moore returns two of his top five scorers from last season. Guard Diamond Johnson, who was the ACC Sixth-Person of the Year last season, will be the top returning scorer, having averaged 10.8 points per game.

Moore has proven success with transfers. Two years ago he added Raina Perez, who hit the game-winning shot in the ACC Tournament game in 2021. Perez started 60 games in two seasons for the Wolfpack.

Jakia Brown-Turner is the only starter returning for N.C. State. Brown-Turner started all 35 games a year ago, averaging 9.8 points per game. Jada Boyd (2) and Johnson (1) are the only players returning who started at least one game last season.