WNBA Season Begins With Indya Nivar On Atlanta Dream Roster

[MichelleHillison]

By UNC Athletics

ATLANTA – The next generation of Tar Heels in the WNBA is here, as North Carolina alum Indya Nivar is set to kick off her rookie campaign with the Atlanta Dream. Nivar earned a spot on the roster after being selected in the 2026 draft in the second round, 28th overall.

Nivar was the 22nd Tar Heel to be drafted and the second under head coach Courtney Banghart. The Apex, N.C. native is set to be the 20th North Carolina alum to appear in a WNBA game and the first since 2021.

Making an impact in Carolina Blue, Nivar was outstanding on both sides of the ball in her senior season with a career-high 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. A defensive power, Nivar tallied 94 steals to rank 25th nationally, and her 2.7 steals per game were second overall among players in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Nivar’s 94 steals marked the most by a Tar Heel in a single season since 2012-13.

Distributing the ball at a high rate, Nivar paced Carolina with an average of 3.6 assists per game and stuffed the stat sheet with six games of at least five points, five rebounds, and five assists. She made her mark in the record books by posting the second triple-double in Carolina women’s basketball history with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 steals against South Dakota State in the Cancun Challenge. Her 10 steals tied the single-game program record last set in 1985.

Nivar joins a Dream franchise with Tar Heel ties, as LaToya Sanders (Pringle) is in her second season with Atlanta as an assistant coach. Sanders played for the Tar Heels from 2004-08, where she was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. She still holds the all-time Carolina record in career and single season blocks.

The Atlanta Dream kicks off the 2026 WNBA season on Saturday in Minneapolis, facing off against the Minnesota Lynx at 8 p.m. ET.

 

[Jriv23]

Hi Michelle, you left out Alisha Gray who played at UNC under SH for two years who helped us make the elite 8 her freshman year along with Deshields, Stephanie M, and Jessica Washington. That recruiting class was the number 1 recruiting class coming in 2013. AG is one of the stars players for the Dream. She is a WNBA All Star. We cannot leave her name off. I know former players are mentioned for their birthdays on the Tarheeltimes website.

 

[3397char]

This is a UNC Athletics article, nit an Inside Carolina article. just a cut-and-paste from the official site.

 

[Jriv23]

Oh, okay and thanks 3397char.

 

[3397char]

The Dream picked up Aaliyah Nye off waivers, which meant someone on the opening day roster had to be cut. The Dream announced today that they waived Holly Winterburn.

On the opening day The Dream played 9, one was out injured and two DNP, coaches decision. That was Nivar and Winterburn. So it appears on paper that Nivar may now be that last spot on the active roster bench.

THe Dream next play on Tues away vs The Wings. It looks like the game is only on "Peachtree TV." They play at home on Sunday at 1:30 vs The Aces, that game will be on NBC.

 

[Jriv23]

Thanks for the update 3397 char and for keeping us informed on how IN is doing.

 

[3397char]

Missed this earlier:

Nivar logged 1+ minute on Tuesday in The Dream's 77-72 victory over The Wings. She contributed 1 RB and 1 BL in her first ever WNBA game action.

Atlanta Dream vs Dallas Wings May 12, 2026 Box Scores

Atlanta Dream vs Dallas Wings May 12, 2026 player box scores including video and shot charts

www.wnba.com

The 2-0 Dream will be play next at home
Sunday May 17 1:30 PM EDT

Las Vegas Aces
(2-1)
@

Atlanta Dream
(2-0)
This game is televised on NBC/Peacock

 

[Jriv23]

That was a good outing and showing for IN. She is on a team that is loaded with a lot of talent and veterans. She just has to contribute when she gets playing time like she did the other night. I am proud of her. Stay true to the process IN.

 

[FanaticHeel]

Nivar is playing now and I jus toned in, in about 5-6 possession 2 steal, ast and 2 missed ft

 

[3397char]

Nivar getting extensive minutes with starters in fouls trouble: 6 reb, 3 asst, 1 stl (should be 2) and a block. The Dream is +14 with her in the game, mounting a comeback. But right on brand she is 0-4 on FTs, missed her two FG attempts also. Great game, on NBC now Q4

 

[tarboy]

Go Indy!

 

[DSPHeel]

Nivar getting extensive minutes with starters in fouls trouble: 6 reb, 3 asst, 1 stl (should be 2) and a block. The Dream is +14 with her in the game, mounting a comeback. But right on brand she is 0-4 on FTs, missed her two FG attempts also. Great game, on NBC now Q4

The full Nivar experience today. But overall she played well and seemed to have a nice connection with Okot.
Just shoot FTs better, please!

 

[3397char]

 

[23UNC]

Harpring being there is awesome.

 

[mpaer]

Harpring being there is awesome.

Thank you
I did not know who that was

 

[Jriv23]

I love the pictures. I am so glad that Coach B and Kate H was there to support her. That speaks volumes about the character of these two women. They showed up and IN showed out. Go Heels!

 

[3397char]

Nivar scores in both her 2nd and 3rd games in the W.

The layup above is during her 5 minutes played in a 86-69 win over the Aces. 1-3 (0-1) shooting, 1 reb, 1 asst, 2 fouls

And on Sunday she played just 1:32 in a 82-80 win over the Mercury, took just one shot, a made 3pt shot, so obviously her first tres. 1 reb as well. Her time was at the end of Q2 when teh Dream were down by 10, then 7 after her make to end the half.

 

[23UNC]

She got five minutes last night. Missed both her FGs and both her FTs. Had three rebounds, 1 assist, and a TO. If she could just put the ball in the basket she would get more minutes.

 

[tarboy]

Indya is a dynamic force on the basketball court. Unfortunately she is not a great shooter. Maybe it is coming later for her. I hope so.

 

[KenbudUNC]

The W is still volatile with its add/drops. Hailey Van Lith was just let go by the Sun after being let go by the Sky. So for someone like Indy who's near the end of the bench, the goal is to stay on the roster the entire season.

 

[3397char]

She got five minutes last night. Missed both her FGs and both her FTs. Had three rebounds, 1 assist, and a TO. If she could just put the ball in the basket she would get more minutes.

Second highest +/- on the team, though limited minutes

 

[Jriv23]

She will just have to continue to do the little things to stay on this team. IN game reminds me of BetnihahLaney-Hamilton when she first game into the league from Rutgers. She could not shoot the ball very well her first year in the league, but she did everything else well just like IN. After her first year, she hired a shooting coach during the offseason and when she came back her second year in the league, she became a threat on the offensive end as far as being able to shot the ball. IN can do the same thing. If I was her, I would bank my money up, hire a shooting coach in the off season to work on her shooting and I think she can become a better shooter.

​

 

[3397char]

Nivar got extended minutes today because the Dream were losing a blowout. She came in with her team 27 down with 11 minutes left. But the Dream proceeded to shave that lead down to 10, eventually losing by 11. Nivar was +14, leading her team.

her box score is completely unremarkable: 2pts, 1 Reb, 1 ast,1 stl. But her defense was noticeable: constantly bothering shots, disrupting drives, and creating havoc. Both teams eventually put multiple starters back in with the lead dwindling but the Dream kept Nivar out there.

she missed her FTs yet again and is now an abysmal 1 of 13 from the line For the year. Most are not even close. Never seen anything like it.

 

[Jriv23]

Could be a confidence thing. She will need to hire a shooting coach or a personal training who is known to be a good shooter to help. Heck, I would reach out to Steph Curry to see if he could come and spend a weekend helping her with a shot. Cameron Brink use to go to all of his camps. She can shoot.

 

[3397char]

Still seeking confirmation, but It looks like the Atlanta Dream just waived Indya Nivar:



the season will be half over this week and Today is the WNBA "Mid-season cut-down date."

By 5:00 p.m. ET today, teams need to make final roster adjustments. After this deadline, all non-guaranteed (unprotected) contracts for players remaining on active rosters become fully guaranteed for the remainder of the season. Sop this is basically a last-minute cut, which unfortunately puts her in a tough position to be picked up by other teams.

The way that waivers work is that the Dream has to officially release her and if no one picks her up in 48 hours, then Nivar could be re-signed under a developmental player contract. She could then be activated for up to 12 more games.

However, in order to do that, they would have to waive one of their two existing developmental players already under contract: Amy Okonkwo (activated for 1 game this season) or Jaylyn Sherrod (0 games). I do not know for sure, but I assume one of them would have to also be waived today because of teat same Mid-Season cut-down date rule?

Nivar is an ideal practice player (premier defender, but incredibly inefficient scorer) and the coaching staff love her. that is the only reason I think they may maneuver to keep her still.

The Sparks waived TaNiya Latson yesterday. My guess, based on nothing, is that the Dream may have freed up this spot for Latson?

 

[3397char]

Nivar has a pretty solid contract, unheard of just a year ago in the W: 4 years $1.2 Million. The $270K for this year represents the league minimum, so I am not saying she was paid extra, just noting how much the market has changed with the new CBA.


But as with all 2nd rounders it is not a guaranteed contract. If she was indeed waived today and did not play/practice any more in the W this season, she will have cleared just north of $100K/ But that also means she would have fell just one day short of a guaranteed $150K+ more. Of course could still earn in other leagues/ways to make up some of that.

 

[Jriv23]

This sucks. I think it is wrong to waive players during the midseason. As you have stated 3397char, it is hard to be picked up by another team so late in the season.

 

[UNCAlum83]

Still seeking confirmation, but It looks like the Atlanta Dream just waived Indya Nivar:



the season will be half over this week and Today is the WNBA "Mid-season cut-down date."

By 5:00 p.m. ET today, teams need to make final roster adjustments. After this deadline, all non-guaranteed (unprotected) contracts for players remaining on active rosters become fully guaranteed for the remainder of the season. Sop this is basically a last-minute cut, which unfortunately puts her in a tough position to be picked up by other teams.

The way that waivers work is that the Dream has to officially release her and if no one picks her up in 48 hours, then Nivar could be re-signed under a developmental player contract. She could then be activated for up to 12 more games.

However, in order to do that, they would have to waive one of their two existing developmental players already under contract: Amy Okonkwo (activated for 1 game this season) or Jaylyn Sherrod (0 games). I do not know for sure, but I assume one of them would have to also be waived today because of teat same Mid-Season cut-down date rule?

Nivar is an ideal practice player (premier defender, but incredibly inefficient scorer) and the coaching staff love her. that is the only reason I think they may maneuver to keep her still.

The Sparks waived TaNiya Latson yesterday. My guess, based on nothing, is that the Dream may have freed up this spot for Latson?

WNBA Player Movement & Transactions | WNBA

Get the latest on player movement across the WNBA. Trades, signings, waivers and more.

www.wnba.com

 

[3397char]

The Dream have signed Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, and it does not look like they dropped either of their developmental contracts, so it does not look like they are positioned to pick-up Nivar after she clears free agency.

 

[3397char]

And… she is back!

The Dream waive Amy Okonkwo and Indya gets her developmental contract spot.



i believe at this point her contract is locked in for the rest of the season. she will be a practice player and always travel with the team, though usually inactive. Any week she stays inactive she will earn a $750 stipend.

she could be activated for up to 12 games. (this will usually happen when a full roster player is injured or needs rest.) if activated, she receives the league minimum, prorated for that game, which is around $6K per game. So the most she can add is around $80K, but it can be as little as $8K if never activated.

 

[Jriv23]

I am glad she is still part of the team. Thank the Lord. We need, UNC needs, and CB needs to have a player from her program and that was coached by her and her staff to be the WNBA. This helps out with recruiting top level / elite players because they are smarter and wiser now. They want to go to a program that has a proven track record of getting players to the league, not just overseas. Go Heels!