UConn star guard Paige Bueckers is the probable top overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, but with the recent injury to USC teammate JuJu Watkins, Kiki Iriafen has the ability to go second. Where are some of the best landing spots for the Trojans’ forward?
Top 5 WNBA Draft Landing Spots For Kiki Iriafen
A Los Angeles, California, native, Iriafen began her collegiate career at Stanford. She spent three seasons with the Cardinal, during which time she established herself as a solid WNBA Draft prospect.
In her lone season at USC, she averaged 18.6 points and 8.5 rebounds, notching 11 double-doubles while shooting 50.6%. The Trojans finished the regular season ranked No. 4 in the country with a 28-3 record. Iriafen was a unanimous selection to the Big Ten first team and cemented her spot on the All-American third team.
She should continue to rack up the accolades, being named a finalist for the Katrina McClain Award, as she looks to win the award for best women’s power forward back-to-back years.
As the talented forward has a massive responsibility in making up for Watkins’s loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, her draft prospects continue to become more apparent.
Golden State Valkyries
The Valkyries hold the 5th pick in the 2025 WNBA draft. As an expansion team entering its inaugural season, the Valkyries will essentially be starting from scratch. With no prior roster concerns, they’ll select the best available player, someone they hope can become a star. If Iriafen falls to Pick No. 5, this could very well be her in a return to the Bay Area.
Washington Mystics
The Mystics hold three of the six top picks in the upcoming WNBA Draft. While they’re in rebuild mode, they won’t be selecting for any particular need. Rather, they hope to add pieces that can help redefine their franchise. A player like Iriafen would be a valuable asset in Washington, D.C.
Seattle Storm
The Storm are coming off another solid season, finishing in fifth place with a 25-15 record. However, they look to improve next season after a first-round playoff exit.
Iriafen can help this team alongside fellow former Stanford Cardinal and 12-year veteran Nneka Ogwumike. Seattle was middle of the pack when it came to rebounding this year, ranking sixth. Iriafen can help here; her career of 6.5 boards per game at USC should translate well to the WNBA.
Los Angeles Sparks
While the Sparks made the blockbuster move in trading for Kelsey Plum, the franchise understands the importance of being competitive. In the large Los Angeles market, the Sparks are expected to bring in players who are skillful and who they can market.
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Although Iriafen might not be a perfect roster fit, given the number of players on the roster in their backcourt, there is no doubt the L.A. native would love to stay home and continue her basketball career. The Sparks own the 9th pick in the first round.
New York Liberty
The Liberty won their first championship last season and hold the No. 7 pick in the upcoming draft.
The team is solid across the board and doesn’t have many needs, but it is always looking to add more talent to its roster. If Iriafen falls in the draft, the champs can add her talents to the mix of stars like Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart.
While the WNBA takes place on Monday, April 14, Iriafen and her Trojan teammates will first look to avenge the loss of Watkins by securing a national title. The next step in this process will be on Saturday night when they take on the No. 5 seed Kansas State Wildcats.
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