Having left their mark on NC State, Saniya Rivers, Aziaha James, and Madison Hayes now get the chance to do so in the WNBA. All three may end up being selected in the WNBA Draft on Monday night, and we could see Rivers and James go in the first round.
Rivers is most likely to go early, at least according to draft prognosticators. The Athletic’s mock has her going to Washington at No. 6 overall, Yahoo likes her at No. 8 to Connecticut, and ESPN’s got her going to Dallas at No. 12. Her elite length and athleticism should help her find a niche in the league even if her offense is a bit slow to develop.
Opinions are more mixed on James, but ESPN likes her potential at No. 8 overall. She’s certain to go somewhere in the three-round draft, though. Madison Hayes could potentially be a late selection as well.
In the past, the WNBA has had such limited opportunities that not even first round picks were guaranteed to make their team (see Elissa Cunane, for example) but league expansion hopefully will change that for the better. The league adds Golden State this season, and two more franchises in 2026.