Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC Here is the weekly review of the top performing Wolfpack alumni, who are currently playing in pro basketball.
#1. Aziaha James, a 5'9'' guard who is 23 years old and a graduate of NC State in 2025, received the prestigious Wade Trophy (Player of the Year) Finalist award in the same year. She currently plays professionally in the WNBA and is a key player for the Dallas Wings. In a recent game against the Seattle Storm, Aziaha led her team to a dominant 79-56 victory, showcasing her skills and talent on the court. She was recognized as the MVP of the game after an exceptional performance, scoring 18 points in just 18 minutes of play. This remarkable feat is even more impressive considering that this is only her first season in professional basketball. Despite the Dallas Wings having a somewhat modest 6-3 record this season, Aziaha's leadership and stellar play have undoubtedly contributed to her team's success. The recent win over the Seattle Storm marked the third consecutive victory for her team, highlighting their potential in the league. Aziaha's contributions, including scoring 18 points, grabbing 3 rebounds, and dishing out 1 assist in the game against Seattle, were instrumental in securing the win. Her impact on the court has established her as a champion player in the making. As Aziaha continues to make her mark in the WNBA in her debut season with the Dallas Wings, her average of 6.7 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game in the nine games played so far reflect her growing influence and importance to the team. With the season still in its early stages, Aziaha James' talent and dedication have the potential to lead her team to further success as they strive for greatness in the league.
#2. Saniya Rivers, a 6'1'' guard and 23-year-old Wolfpack alumna from 2025, was recognized as a Wade Trophy (Player of the Year) Finalist in the same year. Currently playing professionally in the WNBA, she recently played a crucial role in the Connecticut Sun's 84-81 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks, contributing 9 points and 4 assists in 29 minutes on the court. Despite the Connecticut Sun holding a rather weak 2-8 record this season, Rivers' exceptional performance against the Sparks helped secure her team's first victory after three consecutive losses. This marks Rivers' first year with the team, and her impact in the game was undeniable, ultimately leading her team to success and solidifying her as a champion. Throughout this season, Rivers has been averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game in the 10 games she has played. Her dedication and skill on the court continue to make her a valuable asset to her team as she strives for further success in her career as a professional basketball player.
#3. Camille Hobby, a 6'3'' forward/center who is 25 years old, graduated from Illinois in 2024, but she previously played for NC State between 2019 and 2023 before turning pro in Australia. In the recent game, despite her commendable performance, she was unable to lead the Ballarat Miners to victory. The seventh-placed Ballarat Miners suffered a 84-91 defeat on the road against the higher-ranked (#3) Knox Raiders in the South group. Hobby showcased her skills by being the second-best scorer for her team with 17 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. This performance was particularly notable considering she is only in her second season of professional basketball. She put up a strong fight against the Knox Raiders, contributing 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. Throughout the season, Hobby has been excelling individually, maintaining impressive statistics. She boasts an average of 17.9 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game across 14 games. Despite her stellar individual performances, Hobby's team has faced challenges in securing victories in some crucial matchups.
#4. River Baldwin, a 6'5'' center and 25-year-old Wolfpack alumna from the class of 2024, currently plays professionally in Australia. Recently, she led the Mackay Meteorettes to a notable 95-85 victory over the sixth-ranked Wizards in the Australian NBL One North, the second division of the league. In this game, she showcased her skills and was named the MVP after recording a double-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks in just 31 minutes of play. Baldwin's stellar performance was crucial in securing the win for her team, positioning the Mackay Meteorettes in third place in the North group standings with a record of 7-2. She continued to shine in another game against Northside W, where she once again scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and provided 3 assists, further demonstrating her prowess on the court. Her exceptional contributions in this game earned her the title of champion. Throughout the season, Baldwin has maintained impressive individual statistics, averaging 17.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game over nine appearances. Her consistent performance and all-around skills have undoubtedly made her a standout player in the league.
Other former North Carolina State University players, who play in pro basketball:
Markeisha Gatling (6'5''-C-1992, played in 2012-14) plays for Lublin in Polish OBLK
Elissa Cunane (6'5''-C-2000, played in 2018-22) played for Zabiny Brno in Czech Republic ZBL few monts ago
Marissa Kastanek (5'9''-G-1990, played in 2009-13) played for Gdynia in Polish OBLK last year
Akela Maize (6'5''-C-1996, played in 2014-18) played for M.Ramat Gan in Israeli D1 last year
Dominique Wilson (5'8''-G-1994, played in 2013-13) played for TTT Riga in Latvian LSBL last year
Chelsea Nelson (6'2''-C/F-1996, played in 2014-18) plays for E.Ramla in Israeli D1
Madison Hayes (6'0''-G-2001, played in 2021-25) plays for Broni in Italian Serie A1
Jakia Brown-Turner (6'0''-G-2001, played in 2019-23) played for E.Holon in Israeli D1 last year
Amira Collins (6'3''-F-2000, played in 2022-24) plays for Aishin AW in Japanese WJBL
Esra McGoldrick (6'2''-F-1999, played in 2018-19) played for Mainland Pouakai in New Zealand Tauihi Basketball Aoteroa last year
Kiara Leslie (6'0''-G-1995, played in 2017-19) plays for El Calor in Mexican LNBPF
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of North Carolina State University basketball alumni.
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