What Kiki Iriafen Brings to the Washington Mystics

The Washington Mystics made a major upgrade in their front court.

With the selection of Kiki Iriafen, a dynamic 6-foot-3 forward from USC, their 2025 WNBA draft night was in good hands. Iriafen was a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection and an AP All-America Third Team honoree. She also wasted no time leaving her mark in her lone season with the Trojans after transferring from Stanford.

Posting averages of 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, shooting an efficient 49% from the field, and led USC to a Big Ten championship and an Elite Eight appearance. The impact was immediate and undeniable.

The Mystics didn’t hesitate to scoop up a player with Iriafen’s ability to dominate both ends of the floor. She’s strong, athletic, and perhaps most importantly, ready for the challenge.

“I truly have no words,” Iriafen said shortly after being drafted. “My heart is still beating super fast. I told myself I wasn’t going to get emotional, but once your name is called, everything you worked hard for just flashes through your mind.”

A Fit That Makes Sense

The Mystics this draft came in with a purpose. Their goal was to find three impactful young players that could develop with their franchise, and build a young, strong, nucleus. That mission was accomplished.

With the Mystics focusing on rebuilding around young, high-ceiling talent, Iriafen feels like a natural fit. The combination of scoring touch, defensive versatility, and rebounding prowess will allow her to contribute immediately, whether in the starting lineup or as a key piece off the bench.

“I’m super excited to play with Sonia and with Georgia,” Iriafen said, referring to her fellow Mystics draftees. “They’re great girls. I’ve been competing against them, so I’m excited to be teammates now.”

For the modern WNBA, Iriafen’s skill set is tailor-made to dominate. The abilities she has including posting up, knocking down the mid-range shot, and stretching the floor are all in her game. However, where she made her biggest leap this past season was on the defensive end.

“I feel like defensively is where I really took a leap,” she said. “I had to guard more guards, shooting 4s, guard on the perimeter, flares, staggers—just be challenged. I feel like that’s the one thing that will help me get some minutes in the W.”

That kind of defensive adaptability will be crucial for a Mystics squad that has struggled with consistency in recent seasons.

Stepping Into Leadership

One of the most striking parts of Iriafen’s story is her evolution into a leader. At USC, she embraced a leadership role for the first time in her career, helping galvanize a new-look Trojans team into a contender.

“This whole season, I title it the ‘season of growth,’” Iriafen shared. “I grew in all areas—physically, spiritually, emotionally. I think on the court I grew the most as a leader. I had to balance being new but also being a vet.”

That experience will serve her well in Washington. The Mystics team has a lot of promising young talent, and Iriafen. will be at the forefront of leadership responsibilities.

“I’m still going to listen to the girls ahead of me,” she said. “But I know I have a voice. I have something to bring to the table.”

Representation Matters

For Iriafen, the moment wasn’t just about basketball—it was about what it represents. As a proud Nigerian-American, she knows how powerful it is to be seen and to represent something bigger than herself.

“You can do it. If I can do it, you can do it,” she said. “But even better, I want the girls coming up behind me—Nigerian girls, little Black girls, girls from L.A.—to know that I’m doing this for them. I want them to do it better than I did.”

She carries her heritage with pride, speaking glowingly about her Nigerian roots and even hinting at a future with the national team.

“Being Nigerian, it’s like a personality trait,” she laughed. “We’re super proud, very confident. We have this phrase—naija no dey carry last—which means in everything you do, you strive for excellence.”

The Road Ahead

As the Mystics prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on Iriafen to see how quickly she can make the leap. She’s confident but grounded—fully aware of the grind that lies ahead.

On the eve of her WNBA debut, she already has her mindset locked in.

“You belong here,” she told herself. “Stay confident. Be confident. The journey is not linear. Trust the process.”

And when asked what two words she’d write on a mirror heading into the next chapter of her life?

“Keep going. Trust the process,” she answered with a smile. “I know that’s not two words. But that’s the energy I’m bringing.”

In a league that continues to elevate young talent, Kiki Iriafen is bringing the energy—and the game—to back it up. Washington may have just found their next star.