Why WNBA Coaches Say Kiki Iriafen Might Be Even Better in the Pros

When New York Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello watched Washington Mystics rookie Kiki Iriafen dominate her team twice in one week, she made a statement that caught the basketball world's attention: the former USC star might actually be better suited for professional basketball than she was in college.

It's a remarkable assessment for any rookie, but particularly striking for a player who transferred from Stanford to USC and faced questions about her draft stock heading into the 2025 WNBA Draft. Yet through her first two months in the league, Iriafen has proven that the transition from college basketball powerhouse to professional sports can sometimes unlock potential that was previously constrained.

The Coach's Bold Assessment

After watching Iriafen up close in back-to-back matchups, Brondello didn't mince words about what she witnessed from the 22-year-old forward.

"I've been really really impressed with her game, to be quite honest," Brondello said. "Just how it translates to this level. She's got this great physical, big body. She's got confidence. She has a lot of freedom to play -- I think that's good for young players."

That phrase—"freedom to play"—might be the key to understanding why Iriafen appears to be thriving in ways that weren't always evident during her college career. While she was undoubtedly talented at both Stanford and USC, the professional game seems to have unleashed aspects of her skill set that were previously underutilized.

A Journey Through Elite Programs

Iriafen's path to the WNBA wasn't conventional. After starring at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where she left as the all-time leader in points and rebounds, she committed to Stanford over powerhouse programs like UConn, UCLA, and Baylor.

At Stanford, she spent three seasons developing her game under legendary coach Tara VanDerveer. As a freshman, she came off the bench, averaging 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds while earning Pac-12 All-Freshman honors. Her sophomore year saw modest improvement to 6.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

The breakthrough came in her junior season, when Iriafen averaged 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, earning Pac-12 Most Improved Player honors. However, despite her individual success, she made the decision to transfer to USC for her final college season, returning to her hometown of Los Angeles.

At USC, her numbers dipped slightly, and she has acknowledged some frustrations during her senior year despite earning third-team All-American honors. There were whispers that her draft stock might suffer, but the Washington Mystics didn't hesitate to select her fourth overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Immediate Professional Impact

The concerns about Iriafen's readiness for professional basketball evaporated almost immediately. In her WNBA debut, she recorded 14 points and four rebounds, setting the tone for what would become a historic start to her professional career.

Record-Breaking Rookie Performance

The numbers tell the story of unprecedented rookie excellence:

Stat Category	Iriafen's Performance	Historical Context
Double-doubles in first 5 games	4	Only 2nd rookie since 1999 (Natalie Williams)
Points/Rebounds through 8 games	14.6 PPG / 10.0 RPG	Only 6 players in WNBA history
Rookie of the Month	Won for May	First Mystics rookie ever
League rebounding rank	4th in WNBA	Among all players, not just rookies

Iriafen became just the sixth player in WNBA history to average at least 10 points and 10 rebounds through their first eight games, joining elite company including Tina Charles (2010), Candace Parker (2008), and Cheryl Ford (2003).

What Makes Her Better in the Pros?

Several factors explain why Iriafen appears more suited to professional basketball than the college game:

Physical Freedom

At 6-foot-3 with exceptional athleticism, Iriafen's physical tools are better matched against WNBA competition. While college basketball often features more packed paint defenses and physical post play, the WNBA's spacing and pace allow her to showcase her versatility.

Expanded Skill Set

Washington Mystics coach Sydney Johnson has praised how Iriafen has shown more versatility than expected. Known primarily for her post play in college, she's consistently knocked down mid-range jumpers and demonstrated court awareness that wasn't always visible in her college film.

"She has consistently knocked down midrange jumpers and shown the smarts to adjust to the way different opponents defend her," Johnson noted. "She has proved to be a capable defender and has thrived in the Mystics' up-tempo offense."

Mental Approach

Perhaps most importantly, Iriafen appears to have found the confidence that eluded her at times in college. Her 51.7% field goal percentage speaks to shot selection and assertiveness that coaches love to see.

"It's very fulfilling and rewarding that I can compete at this level," Iriafen said after winning Rookie of the Month. "I think it's just a testament of, your journey doesn't have to look like anybody else's and you can still accomplish your goals."

The Stanford-USC Connection

Iriafen's college journey through two Pac-12 powerhouses provided her with different perspectives that may have prepared her for professional success in unexpected ways.

At Stanford, she learned fundamentals and basketball IQ under VanDerveer's tutelage. Her breakout junior season showed she could be a dominant force when given the opportunity. The transfer to USC, while it resulted in some statistical decline, may have taught her adaptability and resilience—qualities that are serving her well as a professional.

"From the day I got drafted to the Mystics, I just put my head down, like, I'm going to work, whatever that might look like for this team," Iriafen explained. "All I can say is I'm just giving my best effort every single time that I'm playing."

Impact on Team Success

The Mystics' decision to build around their rookie class is paying dividends. Despite a young roster that includes fellow rookie Sonia Citron, Washington has remained competitive in a challenging Eastern Conference.

Iriafen's rebounding prowess—she leads all rookies and ranks fourth league-wide—has given the Mystics a physical presence they lacked in previous seasons. Her ability to run the floor in transition and contribute to their up-tempo offense has made her an integral part of their system.

Looking Forward

As Iriafen continues to develop in her rookie season, the early returns suggest that Sandy Brondello's assessment might prove prophetic. Players who can make the jump from college contributor to immediate professional impact are rare, but Iriafen appears to be in that category.

Her rapid adjustment to professional basketball—from not knowing the Rookie of the Month award existed to winning it in her first eligible month—speaks to both her talent and her adaptability.

For fans of Stanford and USC basketball, Iriafen's success validates both programs' development systems while highlighting how different players thrive in different environments. Her journey demonstrates that sometimes the professional level can unlock potential that was always there, waiting for the right circumstances to emerge.

As she continues to break records and set new standards for rookie excellence, Kiki Iriafen is proving that Sandy Brondello's bold assessment might have been an understatement. She's not just better in the pros—she might be destined for greatness at this level.

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