AFCON 2025
One of the biggest names in women’s college basketball right now is USC Trojans’ Kiki Iriafen. When star player JuJu Watkins picked up a morale-shattering ACL injury, Iriafen answered the call in the second round of the NCAA women’s tournament, scoring 36 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and adding two blocks in a 96-59 win over Mississippi State.
This breakout performance has catapulted her to national prominence, and she’s now a top prospect for the WNBA.
Who is Kiki Iriafen?
Okikiola “Kiki” Iriafen is a Nigerian-American college basketball player for the USC Trojans of the Big Ten Conference.
Kiki Iriafen Career stats
Stanford University:
- 2021-22: Played in 33 games, averaging 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
- 2022-23: Played in 35 games, starting 27, scoring 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
- 2023-24: Started in 36 games, averaging 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
University of Southern California (USC):
- 2024-25: Iriafen started 33 games and averaged 18.6 points and 8.5 rebounds.
Kiki Iriafen: Family background
Kiki Iriafen’s parents, Yemi and Harrison Iriafen, are Nigerians who settled in Los Angeles before her birth. As the eldest of three siblings, Kiki isn’t alone in her athletic pursuits – her younger brother and sister also have their own sporting endeavors.
Interestingly, sports weren’t the primary focus in the Iriafen household. Instead, her parents, Yemi and Harrison, prioritized building their careers in health consulting and agriculture, respectively, providing a stable foundation for their children to explore their passions.
Basketball journey: Early beginnings
Kiki Iriafen’s basketball journey began at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where she established herself as one of the top players in the area. During her time there, she earned numerous accolades, including being named a two-time Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American in her senior year.
As a junior, Iriafen led her team to a CIF Southern Section Division 1 title and was recognized as the Division 1 Player of the Year. She concluded her high school career as her school’s all-time leader in points and rebounds, leaving a lasting legacy.
College Basketball career
Regarded as a five-star recruit by ESPN, Iriafen chose to play college basketball for Stanford, turning down offers from prominent programs like Baylor, UCLA, UConn, and Notre Dame. At Stanford, Iriafen’s development was impressive. As a freshman, she averaged 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game off the bench, earning Pac-12 All-Freshman honors.
In her sophomore season, she continued to grow, averaging 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Her breakout came in her junior year, where she averaged 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds, earning her the title of most improved player in the Pac-12. This stellar performance led her to enter the NCAA transfer portal, and she eventually transferred to USC, returning to her hometown of Los Angeles for her final college season.
Is Kiki Iriafen eligible for the WNBA draft?
Kiki Iriafen is indeed eligible for the WNBA draft. Born on November 30, 2002, she is currently 22 years old, meeting the league’s age requirement. Additionally, having exhausted her college eligibility, she meets the necessary criteria to enter the draft.
Kiki Iriafen: Life outside basketball
Kiki Iriafen is more than just a talented basketball player. A member of the All-Pac-12 Team last season and first-team All-Big Ten honoree this year, she’s ready to take her game to the professional level. However, her ambitions extend far beyond the court.
While pursuing a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and innovation at USC, Iriafen has explored various interests. As a design engineering major at Stanford, she’s considered careers in medicine and engineering.
She’s also dabbled in modeling, stating, “I love modeling. I’ve been trying to do a lot of magazine modeling and runway modeling. I’m going to be a supermodel one day.”
Her Nigerian-born parents have always emphasized academics, and Iriafen has excelled in both pursuits. She’s passionate about her culture and has expressed interest in using her skills to make a positive impact, saying,
“I am passionate about my culture, so I could do some design work in Nigeria or work with women and children working on women’s health.”
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.
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.
