Kiki Iriafen playing in 2025 for the Washington Mystics June 15 (photo courtesy of Micahmn, Wikimedia Commons)
Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen broke the franchise’s single-season rookie rebound record, surpassing a mark that stood for more than 26 years. In her debut season, she averaged double-digit scoring and nearly nine rebounds per game, establishing herself as a key contributor in the Mystics’ lineup.
The 21-year-old Stanford product officially broke the record on Aug. 8, securing her 247th rebound of the season and surpassing the rookie single-season rebound mark previously held by Chamique Holdsclaw since 1999.
“I just want to keep working and help this team win,” Iriafen said after the game. “Records are an honor, but my focus is on making an impact every time I step on the floor.”
Drafted fourth overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft as a first round pick, Iriafen established herself quickly in the Mystics’ rotation. She averaged 12.9 points and 8.5 rebounds per game during her rookie season — ranking among the league’s top rookies in both categories, according to her ESPN player stats page.
ESPN also highlighted her impact trend, saying her “physicality and rebounding set her apart from the rest of the rookie class, too: She’s grabbing 8.8 rebounds best in the group.”
Her breakout season was underscored by standout performances. On July 29, against the Chicago Sky, Iriafen tallied 10 rebounds — 8 defensive and 2 offensive — along with 22 points and four assists, helping the Mystics achieve a franchise milestone where two rookies scored over 20 points in the same game, according to the Washington Post. Later, she recorded three consecutive double-doubles, reinforcing her reliability as a rookie, even against seasoned competition.
Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson praised Iriafen’s dedication and adaptability after the Sky game. “They’re unbelievably coachable… the talent is one thing, they’ve worked hard for it… to come into this league and truly want to be great… It says so much about them.”
For a franchise that has featured veterans such as Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Cloud in recent years, Iriafen’s emergence as a rookie marks a shift. Her record-breaking season has added a spark to a team in transition and provided fans with a glimpse of the next era of Mystics basketball.
“She’s already one of the most important players in our system,” Johnson added. “To see her making this kind of impact in her first year tells us a lot about where this team is headed.”
The buzz around Iriafen has extended beyond the team. Fans and viewers alike have taken notice of her influence. Sienna Britt, a senior from New Jersey who plays on Howard’s flag football team, is a longtime Mystics supporter.
“Kiki has completely changed the energy of this team,” said Britt. “She brings fight, she brings passion, and you can tell she wants to be great. Watching her break that record felt like a moment in history for the Mystics.”
Chase Brantley, a senior supply chain management major, avid WNBA viewer and Iriafen fan, echoed that sentiment.
“From the moment she stepped on the court, you could see she was different,” Brantley said. “Breaking a record that’s stood for over two decades just shows how special she is. I think she’s the future of the Mystics.”
The record added to the Mystics’ history, coming five years after the franchise won its first WNBA title in 2019 .With Iriafen anchoring the paint and showing consistent development, the Mystics’ recent roster developments suggest the team’s rebuilding process may progress more quickly than initially projected.
For Iriafen, the milestone is both a personal accomplishment and a reflection of the support around her, she said.
“I’m proud, but I also know this is about the team and the fans who believe in us,” she said. “I’m excited for what’s next. This is just the beginning.”
Iriafen’s rookie campaign has already placed her among the most productive first-year players in the league. With her contributions on both ends of the court, she has etched her name into the Mystics’ record book and positioned herself as a central figure in the franchise’s ongoing development.
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.