WASHINGTON − Kiki Iriafen celebrated her graduation from the USC Marshall School of Business for a few happy moments after the Washington Mystics practice Thursday, just a day away from the team’s season opener.
Iriafen donned a black graduation cap and got some video for social media along with fellow rookie Lucy Olsen, who is graduating from Iowa.
Iriafen, 22, has earned her master’s degree in entrepreneurship and innovation from USC after getting an undergraduate degree at Stanford in product design and mechanical engineering. Last month USC announced Iriafen was the Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for Division I.
Despite her academic accolades, she isn’t disappointed that she won’t get to walk in the traditional ceremony. “I graduated early last year so I was able to get my big graduation so I’m not super sad about it this year,” she said. “I’m more excited I get to play basketball instead. I can’t believe it’s actually here. We’ve had two preseason games, but tomorrow feels like the real deal. I’m excited to finally be able to compete and get the season rolling. My journey here has been kind of a roller coaster; I’ve had some highs, some lows. But I wouldn’t change a single thing because it’s made me who I am and brought me here.”
The Mystics open the season May 16 at home against the Atlanta Dream with a sense of excitement under first-year head coach Sydney Johnson and with a rookie class whom Johnson said plays with a veteran presence.
“I’m just hopeful that we can stay healthy because I think that’s such a big thing in terms of building momentum,” Johnson said. Last season the Mystics started on a 12-game losing streak after injury problems.
Last month Washington drafted Sonia Citron with the No. 3 pick, Iriafen at No. 4 and Georgia Amoore at No. 6. Olsen was the Mystics’ No. 23 pick in the second round, and Zaay Green was drafted 31st overall in the third round. (Green was waived May 14.)
Iriafen said she’s soaking up the moment on the eve of her first pro game.
“I’ve had great coaches who have really prepared me to play at this level. I think for me, what’s going to help me be successful is just being a sponge, understanding there’s a lot I can still learn,” she said.
The young team has already dealt with the disappointment of losing Amoore after she suffered a right ACL injury during practice April 30.
Iriafen was excited to come to Washington because of the number of draft picks the team had this year.
“You feel like you have a sister in it, going through the newness with you,’ Iriafen said. ‘Sonia, Georgia, Lucy, even Zaay, we were all really close. Everyone brought something different to the table, and I know now that things are solidified, we’re going to get closer and closer. It’s so funny because it’s only been a month, but I feel like I’ve known these women for years.”
Aaliyah Edwards won’t play against Atlanta due to a back injury and Shakira Austin is out with a leg injury. That could mean more minutes for Iriafen, Citron and Olsen to soak up their WNBA debut.