Kiki Iriafen has emerged as one of the WNBA’s most intriguing young talents, quickly making her mark with the Washington Mystics. Her mix of size, skill and unshakable composure paints the portrait of a player built for the big stage.
But her story stretches beyond the hardwood. From her Los Angeles roots to her years excelling in both academics and athletics, each chapter adds depth to the forward now shaping her place among the league’s brightest prospects.
There’s also an off‑court narrative—one shaped by family, resilience and quiet ambition—that fuels her rise. As she steps into her rookie season, the question isn’t whether she’ll make an impact, but just how far her journey will take her.
How old is Kiki Iriafen?
Okikiola “Kiki” Iriafen was born on August 26, 2003, making her 21 years old as of August 2025. Her age places her among the younger rookies in the league, yet she has already shown maturity beyond her years on and off the court.
Her rapid progress—from standout prep at Harvard‑Westlake to becoming a top‑5 draft pick—reflects both talent and maturity cultivated through elite programs at Stanford and USC.
How tall is Kiki Iriafen?
Listed at 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm), Kiki Iriafen stands out as a power forward with ideal size for both interior scoring and rebounding duties. Her height combined with mobility has allowed her to excel as a two-way player—dominating the paint while also showing touch in mid-range situations, a rare combination at the rookie leve.
Kiki Iriafen’s love life and family
Kiki was born in Los Angeles to Nigerian parents Yemi and Harrison Iriafen. Neither has a professional sports background: her father runs an agricultural business and her mother works as a home health consultant.
She is the eldest of three siblings—her sister Shuby plays soccer, while Oyinkan shares her passion for basketball. Family values—discipline, education, and focus—were ingrained early.
Romantically, she has kept tight-lipped. There is no public confirmation of a relationship, and she appears dedicated to keeping her personal life private, emphasizing instead her career and ambitions off the court.
What is Kiki Iriafen’s jersey number?
Kiki Iriafen wears jersey No. 44 for the Washington Mystics, a number officially listed across league directories and broadcast lineups. The number has already become symbolic of her rookie-level achievements.
She’s featured in every official roster and game lineup under that number, which she’s worn through all her standout moments in 2025—double-doubles, clutch rebounds, and consistent scoring that reflected her immediate impact as a Mystics frontcourt piece.
Coach Sydney Johnson and teammates often reference “No. 44” when discussing her rebounding footprint and interior presence—an ironclad identifier for a rookie who wasted no time making the number meaningful.
Kiki Iriafen’s career highlights
- Rookie of the Month – May 2025: Averaged 13.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 1.0 APG on 47.4% shooting. Led all rookies in rebounding and became the first Mystics rookie ever with such efficient double‑digit scoring and rebounding in a month.
- Four double‑doubles in first five games: From May 18–25, recorded four straight double‑doubles, becoming only the second rookie in WNBA history to do so so early in a career (first since Natalie Williams in 1999)
- Fastest rookie to 100 points and 80 rebounds for Mystics: Achieved in just eight games, a franchise record for rookies, and the fastest in the league since Tina Charles in 2010
- Consistent scoring and rebounding machine: Logged six double‑doubles over the season and shared the franchise rookie double‑double record of six with Chamique Holdsclaw.
- Historic teammate synergy: Formed with fellow rookie Sonia Citron the first WNBA rookie duo in franchise history to both hit 20+ points in a single game (game vs. Chicago: Iriafen 22 pts, 10 reb; Citron 28 pts).
- WNBA All‑Star Reserve in 2025: Became one of only two Mystics rookies (alongside Citron) named reserves for the All-Star Game—making them just the third and fourth rookies in franchise history to achieve that honor.
- Steady season averages and efficiency: By All-Star break, she was averaging around 11.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 1.4 APG on approximately 45–46% field goal shooting; she led all rookies in rebounds and ranked among the top in scoring and free throw attempts.
- A rising two-way defender with versatility: Praised for combining size, mobility and defensive instincts, she quickly showed her ability to guard multiple positions and impact games on both ends—earning early comparisons to elite bigs and attention for her professional demeanor.