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UNC women's basketball starter selected in Monday's WNBA Draft
TL;DR
Indya Nivar, a former UNC women's basketball player, was selected 28th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Draft. She started every game for the Tar Heels over the past three seasons.
The best part of playing professional sports? Getting to live out your childhood dreams. Just ask Drake Powell, who starred for his hometown Tar Heels and is now a member of the Brooklyn Nets.
Another former UNC star is now also getting to live out her childhood dreams. Indya Nivar, a North Carolina native who played in Chapel Hill the past three seasons, went 28th overall in Monday's WNBA Draft.
The Atlanta Dream made Nivar, who started each of the Tar Heels' past 69 games, their lone second round selection.
Nivar began her career at Stanford during the 2022-23 college basketball season, but didn't play much in California. After coming off the bench her first year at North Carolina, Nivar became a full-time starter during the 2024-25 Sweet 16 run.
Nivar saved her best collegiate season for last, averaging career highs of 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for the Tar Heels. Part of a deep, guard-heavy attack, Nivar helped anchor UNC's run to the 2026 Sweet 16.
In the ATL, Nivar joins an Atlanta roster that features the likes of Angel Reese and former NCAA Champion Te-Hina Paopao. There's a chance Nivar remains on the Dream, but she could also pursue opportunities elsewhere if the Plath to playing time is minimal.
Even with Nivar now in the WNBA, North Carolina has plenty of guards on its 2026-27 roster, headlined by incoming top recruit Kate Harpring and senior Reniya Kelly.
Who will rise to fill Nivar's role on the Tar Heels? We'll discover that answer pretty early in non-conference play, but for now, let's congratulate Nivar on achieving her childhood dream.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Indya Nivar goes 28th overall to Atlanta Dream in 2026 WNBA Draft
Q&A
Who is Indya Nivar and which team drafted her in the WNBA Draft?
Indya Nivar is a former UNC women's basketball player who was drafted 28th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Draft.
How many games did Indya Nivar start for the UNC women's basketball team?
Indya Nivar started each of the last 69 games for the UNC women's basketball team.
What was Indya Nivar's college career before joining UNC?
Before joining UNC, Indya Nivar began her college career at Stanford but had limited playing time there.
