Kiki Iriafen’s final college season at USC didn’t quite go as planned. The 6-foot-3 forward, who had transferred from Stanford, saw her offensive contributions dip, with both her scoring and shooting rates down from previous years.
USC, one of the favorites for the NCAA title, reached the Elite 8 but faced a setback after star player Juju Watkins tore her ACL just days prior. Iriafen felt the impact of Watkins’ absence, managing only 10 points on 15 shots in three games, which was definitely below her usual performance levels.
Despite the struggles, she was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Everything coming together in Washington
During her college career, Iriafen averaged 11.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 46%. In May, she was honored as the WNBA Rookie of the Year.
This recognition followed an impressive collegiate average of 13.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and one assist per game on a shooting percentage of 47.4%.
Rookies’ impact on Mystics’ success
Teaming up with Sonia Citron, the Mystics’ third overall pick, Iriafen formed a dynamic duo that propelled Washington into playoff contention. As they entered the All-Star break, the Mystics held a record of 11-11, ranking seventh in the league.
Alongside Iriafen, Citron contributed an average of 14.1 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal per game.
“Kiki is not just a great player; she’s even better as a person,” Citron shared. “It was awesome to navigate this journey with her. We’re both experiencing similar challenges, which makes it special. We rely on each other.”
Citron noted how easy it is to connect with Iriafen on the court.
“Through daily practices, we’ve steadily built our chemistry, and I believe we’re just going to keep improving,” Citron added. “I was thrilled when she became an All-Star; I hoped for this outcome. It’s amazing to share this experience.”
Both rookies earned All-Star Reserve spots as recognized by 12 WNBA coaches. Recently, Brittney Sykes, the Mystics’ leading scorer this season, received a nomination.
While Iriafen might not have anticipated such a smooth transition to the professional level, she quickly established herself as one of the standout two-way players in the WNBA.
