Image Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

Kiki Iriafen WNBA Draft Projection- Where Will Kiki Iriafen Go?

Kiki Iriafen is expected to be one of the top five picks at 2025 WNBA Draft.

Image Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

When JuJu Watkins injured her knee during the NCAA Tournament clash against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, everyone thought that it was over for the USC Trojans. However, Kiki Iriafen used the opportunity to step up and be a hero for the side. Iriafen came up with a heroic performance of 36 points, and nine rebounds.

It was the highest total scored by a USC player in an NCAA Tournament game. The game turned out to be the chance Iriafen had always been looking for. She spent the last three years of college at Stanford. However, Iriafen moved to USC this season and joined forces with JuJu Watkins.

Iriafen did what was expected from her, stepping up to be the main option from the second option. She finished the 2024-25 season with 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game, shooting 49% from the field. She is known for her scoring consistency and her footwork, and these qualities put her as a top prospect in the forthcoming WNBA Draft.

Kiki Iriafen WNBA Draft Projection

Apart from her basketball skills, Iriafen displayed qualities of a true leader when she stepped up during Watkins’ injury and delivered a game-winning performance. Earlier during her stint at Stanford University, Iriafen finished her freshman season with an average of 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.

During her sophomore season, she averaged at 6.7 points. 3.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists. The 21-year-old had a breakthrough season in 2023-24, when she finished with 19.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.

Big time in the Big Ten 💥

After transferring to USC, Kiki Iriafen averaged 18.0 PTS and 8.4 REB per game while helping the Trojans win the Big Ten title and reach the Elite Eight. She was named to the AP All-America Third Team and was a finalist for the Katrina McClain Award… pic.twitter.com/PcMsmk7snV
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 11, 2025

She is projected to be one of the top-five picks during the 2025 WNBA Draft. She could be picked by the Golden State Valkyries and become the first draft pick in franchise history. It is because the Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase is looking for players, who are ‘ultra competitive, high character, and never satisfied’. Kiki Iriafen would be one of the best picks for them.

She could also be the No. 3 pick and move to the Washington Mystics, who are aiming to rebuild themselves with a new coach and a general manager.

Also Read: Golden State Valkyries WNBA Draft Picks – What Draft Picks Do the Golden State Valkyries Have in the 2025 WNBA Draft?

Kiki Iriafen’s College Career

Kiki Irifen belongs to Los Angeles, California, and she went to Harvard-Westlake High School. During her stint with Stanford before moving to USC and joining them as a graduate student, Iriafen played 104 games and started 63 of them. During her college career, she scored a total of 1,071 points, and had 605 rebounds. The 2023-24 season turned out to be a breakout season for her, where she started in all her 36 games and scored 698 points, while grabbing 396 rebounds. Her career-high performance came against Iowa State in March 2024, where she scored a total of 41 points,

After the 2023-24 season, she was named the most improved player in the Pac-12. Talking about her high-school career, Iriafen broke school records with 2,454 points, and 1,655 career rebounds. Iriafen was a three-time Mission League champion in 2018, 2020, and 2021,and led her team to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship.

Iriafen was named in the All-Mission League Team for four years, and Mission League MVP in 2020 and 2021. She was picked in the McDonald’s All-American and a Jordan Brand Classic All-American team as a senior.

Also Read: 2025 WNBA Draft – What is the WNBA Draft Order for 2025?

2025 WNBA

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Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.