The Round of 32 clash between USC and Mississippi State will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. It was the game where JuJu Watkins’ dance came to a premature end after a historic season, which saw her win the Naismith Player of the Year. But did that stop the Trojans in their tracks? Absolutely not! They had a certain transfer from Stanford who wasn’t going to let the injury bring their March Madness run to an early end. Kiki Iriafen dropped 36 points to lead USC to the Sweet 16, keeping their hopes alive. Though their journey ended in the Elite Eight against the eventual champions, what we fans got was something even more lasting: the on-court chemistry between JuJu and Kiki. And, honestly, their chemistry on the court is so electric that it’s starting to confuse people off the court, too.
While vacationing in Cabo, Kiki Iriafen had someone run up to her, starstruck, and say, “oh my goodness, like, you’re JuJu Watkins!”. Well, Iriafen cleared the confusion, saying, “sorry, no,” but she took it as a compliment, and was probably waiting for the moment she could tell her ‘twin’. Also, she was wearing her hair in a bun that day, so it makes sense. Everything tracks even more when you think that the main reason Iriafen made the move from Stanford to USC was to team up with JuJu Watkins.
“JuJu and I talked a lot before I came to USC and kind of just feeling out this decision,” Iriafen said. “The biggest thing that we both talked about is winning. We both wanted to win, whatever that meant. I think we are both very selfless players. … We have this common goal. We have to do whatever we can to get this goal.”
Truly, all season long, JuJu and Kiki were the heart and soul of the Trojans. But instead of running it back for another year in college, Kiki Iriafen made the call to go pro and declare for the WNBA Draft. And why not? She was the top power forward in her class and projected to go in the lottery. The Washington Mystics then grabbed her with the 4th overall pick, and she’s been making waves ever since. From strong performances to a well-earned WNBA All-Star nod, Kiki’s made it known she belongs at the next level. JuJu, of course, couldn’t be prouder. The bond they built at USC? Still going strong. Right after the All-Star news dropped, Watkins took to Instagram with a simple but fired-up story, writing, “Ifggggg.”
Now, JuJu’s pride is completely on point. But does Kiki believe in herself as much as her former teammate does?
Jan 12, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guards Kayleigh Heckel (left), JuJu Watkins (12) and forward Kiki Iriafen (right) celebrate the Trojans win over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images
“I would have laughed at you,” Iriafen recently said, indicating a clear NO. “Like, you’ve got to be crazy.” But let’s be honest – no one needs to be crazy to see her potential. They just need decent vision and maybe a League Pass subscription.
Iriafen has started every game this season for the Mystics, averaging 12.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. She’s tied for fourth in the league in rebounding, third in rookie scoring, and, wait for it, only the second rookie in WNBA history to notch five double-doubles. Oh, and she is also the first player in franchise history to be named Rookie of the Month (in May) and the fastest Mystics rookie to reach 100 points and 80 boards, in just eight games. Not bad for someone who didn’t see this coming.
Because, believe it or not, that confidence wasn’t always there. “[I was] not really feeling confident in myself in coming to this level,” Iriafen said, as per the Washington Post. “So to have success early, it was definitely something that I was proud of myself for kind of overcoming that. But seeing myself now and being an all-star, it doesn’t even sound real coming out of my mouth.” Good thing she has a hype squad, led by none other than JuJu Watkins. From calling her “44 my new fav #” to cheering her on with a “Let’s gooooo! So proud of you, Kiks,” JuJu’s been dropping support generously. Because if Kiki ever forgets how good she is, JuJu’s Instagram is right there to remind her, and the rest of us.
JuJu Watkins’ ex-teammate, not the only rookie to make the All-Star team
For the first time since 2011, the WNBA will have three rookies play in the All-Star game together! That is how stacked the rookie class was this season. Of course, other than Kiki, we have her teammate Sonia Citron and the number 1 pick of the draft, Paige Bueckers, to complete the list.
Citron is averaging 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while Paige is averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. All three of them are the favorites to win the ROTY this season. Soon enough, JuJu will be playing in the W alongside her best friend, Iriafen. They might not land on the same WNBA roster, but hey, there’s always the All-Star team.
Well, all that remains to be seen. Right now, the priority is her recovery. Coming back from an ACL injury is never easy, but the Trojans are counting on a fully healthy Watkins to help chase a national title before she eventually declares for the draft.
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