Los Angeles, California – Kiki Iriafen, a gifted basketball player, don shine for WNBA after dem draft her number four overall by Washington Mystics for the 2025 WNBA Draft. Born on August 26, 2003, she don make name for her self as one of the premier forwards for college basketball, especially during her time with Stanford Cardinal.
Kiki, wey full name na Okikiola, come from Nigerian roots, because her parents get origination from Nigeria. She don dey show how she dey proud of her heritage, and she even get plans to help women health initiatives for Nigeria as she move forward in her career. Kiki’s performance during 2023-2024 season for Stanford shocked many as she averaged 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
Her height of 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters) give her edge for court. Na im make she dey grab rebounds and score points like no man business. During her high school days for Harvard-Westlake School, she break records with 2454 points and 1655 rebounds, earning her recognition as the Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year two times and even got McDonald’s All-American title in 2021.
After high school, she signed to Stanford wey dey known for their strong academics and quality basketball. Although she start small as bench player during her freshman season, she soon rise to become a fan favorite. Her effort earn am accolades like Pac-12 All-Freshman honors. By her junior year, Kiki peak, she den earn the Pac-12 Most Improved Player of the Year award for her outstanding statistics.
Kiki also transfer to the University of Southern California (USC) for her final season, wey allow her return to Los Angeles, closer to her family. This move followed some changes for Stanford, including coach retirement and some players wey don leave. But she also see it as perfect opportunity to prepare for the WNBA. On Haley Jones’ podcast, she express say joining USC’s talented roster go fit help her transition smoothly to professional basketball.
<p"In join this strong team, I believe say I go fit grow my game and ready me for the next level," Kiki talk. For her final season, she make sure say nobody forget her, averaging 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
Dressed by Nigerian designer during the draft event, Kiki showed off her culture alongside her family wey also wear traditional Nigerian outfits. “This day mean plenty to me. Na my chance to represent my roots,” she noted. Kiki dey fully prepared to make positive impact with the Mystics, and fans dey excited to see wetin she go bring to the WNBA.
Her parents, Yemi and Harrison Iriafen, instill value of education and discipline into her life, as she also pursue degree in design engineering and master’s in entrepreneurship. “I want to inspire young players, make dem know say success dey possible in sports and academics,” Kiki conclude. Her dreams dey high, and with her talent, the sky be the limit for her career in basketball.
