After a close final score of 73-80 on Jan. 16 at Longwood, senior Anika Riley has 69 points and 15 assists for the 2020-2021 season so far, along with a shooting percentage of .424 and a free throw percentage of .667.
“I just want to finish strong and leave everything out since it’s my last year, and not regret anything,” Riley said.
Riley has also recorded a total of 69 rebounds, the second highest on the team, with 54 coming on defense and 15 on offense. Although neither weekend game ended in Winthrop’s favor, Riley’s most successful match was on Saturday, Jan. 15, where she scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Following multiple professional athletes for inspiration throughout her collegiate career, Riley feels she relates the most to Kawhi Leonard on the court, as they are both strong defensive players, but her overall favorite athlete is Serena Williams.
“I just really love how she’s aggressive, emotional, passionate, strong. She’s not afraid to be a strong woman and be more muscular in her sport, and her being a black woman with a successful story, I really love everything about her,” Riley said.
During the 2019-2020 season, Riley started all 30 games of her junior year and recorded her 500th career rebound at Gardner-Webb.
“500 rebounds was really big for me. I think it was special because a lot of people underestimate me because I play a post and I’m 5’8”, and usually in our conference they’re 6’1” or 6’2”,” Riley said.
Before these intense, challenging games, Riley can typically be found in the locker room participating in a dance circle with her favorite songs and teammates.
“I feel like that’s what makes me loose for the game, and I just like doing it. It takes the pressure off because you prepare all week and the coach is on you for little things to have all the details down. So when I’m leading up to the game I like to relax and make the time to have fun, because that’s why we play to begin with,” Riley said.
Off the court and out of the locker room, Riley is diligently working towards her mass communication degree and following her digital videography and production passion, all while striving to maintain her 3.0 GPA.
“That was my goal and promise to myself, to graduate with a 3.0. I’ve been able to hold that up since I’ve been here, which is one of those self-accomplishment, self-motivation [things], so that feels good,” Riley said.
Riley is planning to graduate in May 2021 and move onto the working world of Charlotte, NC with her Bachelor’s degree. Over her four years on campus, it was the close-knit community that made her time at Winthrop so memorable.
“I know all my professors, they recognize me and know me. Especially in your major, you start to take the same classes with the same faces. I think it’s been fun to grow with the same kinds of people,” Riley said.
While Riley considered coaching after graduation, she is hoping to combine her love for videography and athletics into a career of editorial producing in the sports world.
“Honestly, it’s crazy to think I’m at the end already. I just started my last semester here and I’m reminiscent [of] how long and how short it’s been at the same time. It’s cool to figure out what the next steps will be,” Riley said.
The Eagles are 2-9 after this weekend of away games at Longwood, but Riley remains determined to help lead her team to a successful season.
“We’ve been taking our time to build chemistry, but I feel like it’s going to get better as we progress. I have high hopes to get some good wins and really compete in the conference. I’m looking forward to the rest of our games,” Riley said.
Photo by Olivia Esselman
