The Atlanta Dream selected former UNC standout Indya Nivar with the 28th pick in the second round of the WNBA Draft Monday night.

Originally from Apex, Nivar was named the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year and the state’s Ms. Basketball in 2022. She also earned spots in the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic while leading Apex Friendship High School to a state runner-up finish. Nivar committed to Stanford out of high school and played one season for the Cardinal, averaging 12.6 minutes and 3.2 points per game.

Nivar returned to North Carolina by transferring to UNC ahead of the 2023-24 season. She played primarily a reserve role as a sophomore, appearing in all 33 of Carolina’s games and starting six. Her role expanded as a junior, as Nivar started the season’s final 34 games after missing the first three. She averaged 8.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 steals for a UNC team which hosted NCAA Tournament action for the first time since 2015 and reached the Sweet 16.

In her final season with the Tar Heels, Nivar played in and started 35 of the team’s 36 games on her way to second team All-ACC honors. In a win against South Dakota State in November, Nivar recorded just the second triple-double in program history with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals. The 10 steals matched a program record for a single game. Nivar finished the season with 94 total steals, the most by a Tar Heel since 2012-13, while her 130 assists were the most since 2019-20. She averaged 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game and was named to the ACC’s All-Defensive team.

Nivar is the 22nd Tar Heel to be selected in the WNBA Draft and the first since 2021. Team training camps for the upcoming WNBA season open April 19, while the season begins May 8.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati

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