Kiki Iriafen Biography: Okikiola “Kiki” Iriafen is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player currently with the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the USC Trojans in the Big Ten Conference, having previously played for the Stanford Cardinal. Iriafen was selected fourth overall by the Mystics in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Kiki Iriafen Biography
Kiki Iriafen’s basketball journey began in eighth grade, a relatively late start for someone who once viewed basketball as a sport dominated by men and initially dreamed of becoming a doctor rather than an athlete. “I played a little in eighth grade, but before that, my goal was always to become a doctor,” Iriafen shared. “I didn’t participate much in sports or other activities aside from student body government.”
Kiki Iriafen Biography 2025 Details
| Born | August 26, 2003 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| High school | Harvard-Westlake (Los Angeles, California) |
| College | Stanford (2021–2024) USC (2024–2025) |
| WNBA draft | 2025: 1st round, 4th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Washington Mystics |
| Playing career | 2025–present |
| Category | Football Biographies |
See More:
Kiki Iriafen Biography Personal Life
Born to Nigerian parents—Yemi, a home health consultant, and Harrison, who owns an agricultural business—neither of whom were athletes, Iriafen’s motivation came from within herself. Still, athleticism runs in her family: on her father’s side, she has athletic cousins, and her younger siblings are active in sports as well. Her 14-year-old brother Shuby plays soccer, and her 11-year-old sister Oyikan is following in Kiki’s footsteps on the basketball court.
About Kiki Iriafen
Okikiola “Kiki” Iriafen is a Nigerian-American professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association. She played college basketball for the USC Trojans of the Big Ten Conference. She previously played for the Stanford Cardinal.
Kiki Iriafen Wiki
- Born: 30 November 2002 (age 22 years), Los Angeles, California, United States
- Height: 1.9 m
- Education: Stanford University (2021–2024), University of Southern California
- Current teams: USC Trojans women’s basketball (#44 / Forward), Washington Mystics (#44 / Forward)
- 2025–present: Washington Mystics
- Playing career: 2025–present
- WNBA draft: 2025: 1st round, 4th overall pick
High School Career
Iriafen played high school basketball at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where she was a two-time Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year and earned McDonald’s All-American honors as a senior. During her junior year, she led her team to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship and was named Division 1 Player of the Year. She finished her high school career as the school’s all-time leader in both points and rebounds. Rated as a five-star recruit by ESPN, Iriafen chose to commit to Stanford over offers from top programs like Baylor, UCLA, UConn, and Notre Dame.
College Career
Kiki Iriafen began her college basketball journey at Stanford, where she made an immediate impact as a freshman, coming off the bench to average 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Her performance earned her Pac-12 All-Freshman honors from the conference media.
In her sophomore year, she continued to develop, averaging 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. By her junior season, Iriafen had emerged as one of Stanford’s standout players, delivering a breakout performance with averages of 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Her impressive improvement earned her the title of Pac-12 Most Improved Player. Following her junior year, Iriafen entered the NCAA transfer portal and chose to transfer to USC, returning to her hometown of Los Angeles to play her final collegiate season with the Trojans.
What are Kiki Iriafen’s NIL deals as of 2025?
In 2025, the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape is more lucrative than ever, with top athletes earning millions. Women’s basketball stars like Kiki Iriafen are benefiting greatly from this shift. With Power Five conferences set to distribute $20 million in revenue per team starting in fall 2025, Iriafen’s NIL earnings are expected to rise even further. While exact figures haven’t been made public, her current deals indicate she’s on the path to joining the elite earners.
According to On3, Iriafen has a NIL agreement with the Lifetime Cardinal, an independently run NIL collective at Stanford that provides athletes with income opportunities and career development programs beyond sports. Recently, USC women’s basketball secured a landmark team NIL deal with Chipotle—the first of its kind for the brand. Iriafen, alongside teammates like JuJu Watkins, got her own personalized “Kiki Iriafen Bowl” featured on the Chipotle app and website.
Which high school did Kiki Iriafen attend?
Kiki attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where she became the school’s all-time leader in both scoring and rebounds, with 2,454 points and 1,655 rebounds. Her coach, Melissa Hearlihy, recognized her potential early, praising her athleticism and skills around the basket. Iriafen was a two-time Los Angeles Daily News Player of the Year, a McDonald’s All-American, and led her team to a CIF Southern Section Division 1 title as a junior, earning Player of the Year honors.
Rated as a five-star recruit and ranked 19th nationally by ESPN HoopGurlz, Iriafen had offers from prestigious programs like UConn, Baylor, and UCLA but ultimately chose Stanford. Off the court, she also excelled academically, maintaining a 4.3 GPA, showcasing her as one of the most well-rounded student-athletes.
What is Kiki Iriafen’s net worth 2025?
As a college athlete in 2025, Kiki Iriafen does not earn a salary due to NCAA regulations. However, her net worth is significantly boosted by NIL opportunities. While exact numbers remain confidential, experts estimate that top women’s basketball players like Iriafen can earn six to seven figures annually through NIL deals. Her accomplishments, including being named Pac-12 Most Improved Player and winning the 2024 Katrina McClain Award, place her firmly in this elite category.
FAQs
When did Kiki Iriafen start playing basketball?
Kiki Iriafen began playing basketball in eighth grade.
What was Kiki Iriafen’s original career aspiration before basketball?
She initially dreamed of becoming a doctor and was focused on that goal before taking up basketball.
Did Kiki Iriafen participate in other activities besides basketball during her early years?
Yes, she was involved in student body government but didn’t engage much in athletics before eighth grade.
What are the professions of Kiki Iriafen’s parents?
Her mother, Yemi, is a home health consultant, and her father, Harrison, owns an agricultural business.
Does athletic talent run in Kiki Iriafen’s family?
While her parents were not athletes, she has athletic cousins and siblings who play sports.
What sports do Kiki Iriafen’s siblings play?
Her 14-year-old brother Shuby plays soccer, and her 11-year-old sister Oyikan plays basketball.