Spartan paint anchor with elite rebounding and rim protection
Riana Byrd’s standout value for San Jose State comes from her old-school center toolkit: in her 2015-16 season, she was the Mountain West Sixth Player of the Year, second in league rebounding at 8.7 per game and third in blocks at 1.3 per game, while coach comments described her as a “defensive anchor,” a shot-blocker, and a calming, heady presence inside. She also finished her SJSU career with 1,038 rebounds and 200 blocks, so if you want toughness, physicality, and a player who changes possessions without needing the ball, she fits the bill beautifully.
