Many fans may remember Kiki Iriafen as the player who manhandled veteran Fever forward Sophie Cunningham during a preseason game. Her entry into the league was a total blockbuster, but her journey to this point has been equally impressive. But now she will have another identity in the ‘W’.
Starting all games for the capital city franchise, the USC forward showcased her skills and exquisite footwork, dominating the glass for her team. With high consistency in her rookie season, she surpassed an exclusive rookie record set in 1999.
Kiki Iriafen Breaks Long-Standing Franchise Record
The Washington Mystics selected Kiki Iriafen as the fourth overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. The star showed hunger, firepower and consistency during her collegiate career, leading to her top selection. She continued to be efficient on both ends of the floor and scored 10 points with 10 rebounds in a closely fought game against the Seattle Storm.
This was her seventh double-double performance in the season, surpassing the previous record set by Chamique Holdsclaw. Impressively, the 2025 rookie set the record in 21 games. With 23 more games left in the season, she would wind up around 15 double-doubles at this pace. The 6’3” forward is averaging 12.1 points and the team-high 8.5 rebounds.
Brittney Sykes scored 19 points in the low-scoring contest while Sonia Citron added 17. The Storm players put up an intense fight but lost the game 74-69 at Climate Pledge Arena. Ezi Magbegor led the hosts with 21 points, and former MVP Nneka Ogwumike.
After the win, the Mystics stand seventh in the league with an 11-10 record, level with the Fever. Before the All-Star game, they will face the Sparks at home.
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Kiki Iriafen Already Making Big Impact In WNBA
The Mystics had five picks in the 2025 draft, three in the top seven. After locking down guard at number three, the franchise chose Iriafen as the fourth overall pick, making her the top-chosen forward in the league.
She quickly became an integral part of the ‘rebuilding’ side and, with more game time, started putting massive numbers on the board. She also made history as one of the three rookies selected for the WNBA All-Star game—the first time since 2011.
Starting the season on a strong note, the LA-born forward earned WNBA Rookie of the Month for May. She is the first Mystics player to receive this honor. The talented 22-year-old star will aim for a deep run in the playoffs.
Also Read: Mystics Rookie Shares Hilarious Story On Discovering Her WNBA All-Star Selection