Swanson: Kiki Iriafen’s smooth evolution from WNBA rookie to All-Star

Kiki Iriafen, a 21-year-old rookie forward for the Washington Mystics born in Tarzana, California, has quickly achieved WNBA All-Star status in her debut season. She played in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis alongside fellow rookies Sonia Citron (her Mystics teammate) and Paige Bueckers. Iriafen recorded a double-double in the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds. This trio represents only the 36th group of rookies to participate in the All-Star Game since its inception in 1999.

Iriafen's rapid ascent to All-Star honors, including winning Rookie of the Month in May, surprised even her, stating it wasn't "on my radar at all coming in." Her former high school coach at Harvard-Westlake, Melissa Hearlihy, expressed that while incredible, her success is not surprising. Iriafen is known for her fierce independence, exemplified by handling her own Harvard-Westlake application paperwork in eighth grade.

Beyond basketball, Iriafen excelled academically. She earned a degree in product design and mechanical engineering from Stanford in just three years while playing Division I basketball. She then pursued and earned a master's degree in entrepreneurship and innovation from USC while playing for the Trojans.

On the court, the 6-foot-3 power forward is described as a "sponge" eager to learn and improve. She is averaging nearly a double-double for the season with 11.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game on 46% shooting. Iriafen and Citron (the 2024 draft's No. 3 and No. 4 picks) form the first pair of rookie All-Star teammates since 1999, highlighting their significant contributions to the Mystics' surprisingly competitive season amid a successful youth movement.