If her historic first week in the WNBA proved anything, it’s that Kiki Iriafen isn’t one to shy away from challenges — even when said obstacles arrive through Most Valuable Player winners, soon-to-be Hall of Famers, and everything of the type. Best described as a matchup problem from Day One, the Washington Mystics’ No. 4 pick tests her abilities during an early-game post-up against Brionna Jones’ celebrated All-Defensive Team resistance. Squaring her stance, as if attempting to create space on a crowded subway, Iriafen parlays the deep positioning into a highlight-worthy off-glass finish. Iriafen’s competitive fire has encouraged everything from technical fouls against All-Stars to becoming only league history’s second-ever player to record double-doubles in four of their first five games. Tested immediately against the Atlanta Dream’s star-studded frontcourt, Iriafen rose to the occasion through a 14-point, four-rebound, two-assist finish, prompting a victory as eight-and-a-half-point underdogs on May 16, 2025. · May 16, 2025