Two N.C. State women’s basketball players are headed to the WNBA Draft, and a third may not be far behind. Senior Aziaha James and graduate student Madison Hayes declared for the WNBA Draft via social media following the Wolfpack’s Sweet 16 loss to LSU. Saniya Rivers, a senior, has yet to declare, but she has also exhausted her eligibility.
The 2025 WNBA Draft is set for April 14 in New York City.
The trio leaves the program as one of the most decorated classes in program history. James played all four years at N.C. State. Hayes transferred from Mississippi State, while Rivers transferred from South Carolina. They led the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including their 2024 Final Four run, and three consecutive 20-win seasons.
James was the first to declare for the draft earlier this week. In a separate post, James reflected on her college career, thanking her coaches, teammates, friends, family and fans. “As this chapter closes, I step into the next with a heart full of gratitude and memories that will last a lifetime,”
James wrote. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything.” Hayes declared Wednesday, also thanking those who have supported her career, shouting out the team’s most ardent supporters.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey,” Hayes wrote. “Super excited for everyone to be a part of and support the next chapter of my life. I will always be a part of WPN (Wolfpack Nation).”
James appears in six different mock drafts and is a first-round pick in three. However, predictions for the Wolfpack’s leading scorer range from No. 23 to as high as No. 6, both picks going to the Washington Mystics.
James can score at all three levels, creating shots off the bounce or in catch-and-shoot situations. She is several inches shorter than Rivers, listed at 5-foot-10, which may contribute to her lower position on the projected draft boards.
Both seniors participated in Kelsey Plum’s Dawg Class last offseason, which provided college players an opportunity to hone athletic skills and learn about the intangible characteristics that could make them successful at the next level.
Finally, Hayes makes one appearance in a mock draft — which was created in the fall — behind other elite players in the draft class. She was projected to be the No. 25 pick (Connecticut Suns). Hayes played power forward most of this past season, though her natural position is small forward.
Hayes, though undersized for the position at 6-feet, often made up for it with her energy. She led the team in rebounding (7.1 per game), and ranked No. 3 in total blocks (21), behind only Rivers and Tilda Trygger.
The guard also averaged 10.9 points per game, including five 3s in the team’s NCAA Tournament win over Michigan State. Hayes will participate in the Women’s College All-Star Combine on Friday as a way to showcase her talent prior to the draft.
Rivers, listed at 6-1, is the highest prospect of the three Wolfpack players and expected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick. She appears in seven different mock drafts, ranking as high as No. 6 (Washington Mystics) in the draft.
Rivers, however, is most commonly between No. 9 (Los Angeles Sparks) and No. 13 (Dallas Wings). Her height, length, disruption on defense and ability to create off the dribble make Rivers a favorable draft pick. She proved this season she can play at all five positions and led the charge on offense and defense at different points of the season.
The most of the mock drafts have not been updated since Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles announced she would forego this year’s draft and transfer. Miles was expected to be a top 5 pick by most analysts. Many major outlets, such as ESPN, only include the first round picks with a select few including second- or third-round predictions.
Under Wes Moore, five players have been drafted by WNBA teams. Elissa Cunane and Kayla Jones were the most recent draft picks, both going in the second round of the 2022 draft. River Baldwin and Mimi Collins were not drafted last season, but they signed professional overseas contracts.
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