USC forward Kiki Iriafen was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics at the 2025 WNBA Draft, marking a major milestone in her career. After stepping up as the Trojans’ leader following star JuJu Watkins’ ACL injury, Iriafen averaged 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds while shooting 49% from the field.
Watkins, who is staying for another year in college—most of which will be spent rehabbing her injury—took to social media to praise Iriafen for her special moment of becoming a WNBA player.
JuJu Watkins Praises Kiki Iriafen After Star’s WNBA Draft Selection
JuJu Watkins shared her excitement as fellow USC standout Iriafen was selected in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Taking to Instagram, Watkins posted a heartfelt graphic of Iriafen in her USC jersey with bold text reading “DRAFTED” across the front.
Watkins added a personal touch to the post, writing a short but powerful seven-word message stating, “Let’s goooo! So proud of you kiks.”
Iriafen was drafted fourth overall by the Washington Mystics. The 6’3″ forward, a former Stanford player, transferred to USC for her senior season, where she teamed up with Watkins to lead the Trojans to a Big Ten regular-season title and a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed.
Despite Watkins suffering a season-ending injury during March Madness, Iriafen stepped up, notably scoring 36 points in a victory over Mississippi State. Before transferring to USC, Iriafen earned Pac-12 Most Improved Player honors and was a finalist for the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award.
During her time with the Trojans, her 81.1% free-throw percentage added to her impressive stats. Iriafen finished her college career with 1,701 total points, including 630 in her one season at USC.
Iriafen’s selection follows an unpredictable draft night, as mock drafts had her pegged as the third pick, with Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron expected to go fourth. However, Citron was chosen third by the Mystics, while Iriafen went fourth. Iriafen joins a talented Washington roster that includes Brittney Sykes and 2024’s sixth-overall pick, Aaliyah Edwards.
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The Mystics also selected Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore at No. 6. Iriafen’s WNBA journey marks a historic moment for USC. She is the fifth player drafted under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb and the first Trojan to be a first-round pick since Ebony Hoffman in 2004.
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