After the first month of the WNBA season, this year’s rookie class is already making its mark on the league.
Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron of the Washington Mystics, Te-Hina Paopao of the Atlanta Dream and Sarah Ashlee Barker of the Los Angeles Sparks are just a few of the rookies that are off to hot starts.
Iriafen, in particular, was a standout in the month of May, averaging a double-double with 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds through seven games. Her rebounds per game not only led all rookies but also ranked fourth across the entire league.
Fans may recall an incident involving Iriafen and Sophie Cunningham of the Indiana Fever during a preseason game on May 3. Cunningham was grabbed from behind by Iriafen during a rebound attempt, causing her to fall to the floor. However, Cunningham quickly recovered and both players exchanged a few words.
Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen
Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images
Iriafen’s solid play was rewarded when the WNBA announced on Wednesday that she has been named the WNBA Rookie of the Month.
“🏀@Kia Rookie of the Month🏀,” the WNBA wrote on X. “Kiki Iriafen averaged 13.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG, and 1.0 APG to earn May rookie of the month honors for the Washington Mystics!”
Iriafen is one of only six players in league history to average a double-double in points and rebounds through the first seven games of their career, joining the ranks of Tina Charles, Candace Parker and Yolanda Griffith.
Iriafen was selected No. 4 overall by the Mystics in April’s draft. She was a third-team All-American in her lone season at USC (2024-25), averaging 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Iriafen previously played for the Stanford Cardinal from 2021-2024, where she averaged 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game during her third season.
