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Kiki Iriafen Joins Elite WNBA Company Against Indiana Fever

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Deyscha Smith | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 1:25 AM ET

Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen continues to impress as the one of the top rookies this season.

Despite the Mystics’ 85-76 loss to the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night, Iriafen had a career-night with 20 points and nine rebounds, just shy of a double-double.

Iriafen, who is currently averaging 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds, has now scored in double-figures in every game so far this season, making her the first rookie since A’ja Wilson to do so in eight-straight games. Fellow teammate Sonia Citron, who had 13 points, also achieved the feat.

She's also now the sixth player ever in WNBA history to average a double-double through the first eight games of her career. The last player to do so was Tina Charles in 2010.

This rookie duo isn’t lettin’ up

Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron become the first rookies since A’ja Wilson (2018) to open their careers with 8+ straight double-digit scoring games.

WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by @coinbase pic.twitter.com/2YLpvbiD0t
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 4, 2025

Expectations were high when the Mystics drafted Iriafen as the fourth overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, but at this point, it’s safe to say that she’s proven all of the hype to be true. The dynamic rookie duo of her and Citron, who was drafted third overall and is averaging 14.3 points per game, has elevated the Mystics' roster, which also includes Brittney Sykes, Stefanie Dolson and Shakira Austin (to name a few).

Citron and Iriafen are now the first rookies in the WNBA to reach 100 total points this season (Citron achieved the milestone against the New York Liberty) and both currently rank No. 2 and No. 3 in leading all rookies in scoring.

The first name on that list? Dallas Wings' Paige Bueckers. Iriafen now joins her as the just second rookie to have a 20-point performance this season, too.

As for Washington (3-5), they’ll look to bounce back from back-to-back losses and will face New York on Thursday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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