Yaniel Rivera

Photo by: Kaylee Kahn

Career Highs

Points: 19 (at Stephen F. Austin - 11/14/25)
Rebounds: 7 (vs. Howard Payne - 11/4/24)
Assists: 5 (vs. Hardin-Simmons - 12/14/24)
Steals: 4 (2x: at Texas State - 11/18/25, vs. Hardin-Simmons - 12/14/24)
Blocks: 1 (4x)

2024-25 - Sophomore

2023-24 - Freshman

Personal

Attended Dade Christian High School in Miami, Fla.
Averaged 12 points for the Puerto Rican Under-18 National Team in 2022
Averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists for Puerto Rican National Team in 2021 Centrobasket U17 Championship (won championship) and 2022 FIBA U18 Americas Championship (lost in quarterfinals to Canada)

Recruiting Story

Recruited by head coach Brette Tanner who knew Rivera's coach with the NBA Academy in Latin America from ACU's team trip to Costa Rica in summer 2015.
Tanner trusted that coach's evaluation of Rivera's basketball play and character, "and everything he told me was absolutely true," said Tanner. "Yani is what you want to see in college basketball that we don't see anymore. He went through the rollercoaster ride of his freshman year... he never complained, never griped, kept working, doing things on his own and asking what he could do to get better. He is a perfect example for our younger guys to see what can happen when you just stay the course."