The Washington Mystics are undergoing a transitional phase this season after parting ways with many seasoned players, including veteran star Elena Delle Donne, who has retired. However, there are promising signs to focus on as the season gets underway.
With three selections in the top six of the WNBA Draft prior to the season, the Mystics are making effective use of those picks. Though rookie point guard Georgia Amoore is sidelined for the entire season due to a knee injury sustained during the preseason, rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron are showing their potential.
Iriafen has consistently delivered impressive performances for the Mystics, including a standout game on Tuesday night against the Indiana Fever. The No. 4 overall pick recorded 20 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting alongside nine rebounds. Despite her efforts, the Fever managed an 85-76 victory without Caitlin Clark.
Iriafen maintains an average of a double-double through eight games, marking her achievement as one that places her in very exclusive company within the WNBA, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.
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“Kiki Iriafen is the 6th player in league history to average a double-double through their first eight career games and first since Tina Charles in 2010,” Philippou shared on X, previously known as Twitter.
During her college career at Stanford alongside Cameron Brink, Iriafen excelled, although she faced challenges adapting to the system at USC last season. Now, she seems to have found her footing in the WNBA, emerging as a key offensive player for the Mystics.
Entering Tuesday’s matchup, Iriafen ranked as Washington’s third-leading scorer at 13.9 points per game, while Citron followed closely as the second-leading scorer with an average of 14.3 points per game. The two rookies are evidently on the rise and are significantly influencing the team’s aspirations to stay in playoff contention.
Additionally, they are in a tight race for Rookie of the Year honors, especially as Paige Bueckers is in the recovery process from a concussion. Once the former UConn standout returns, she will face a tough challenge in trying to keep pace with Iriafen’s outstanding performance.
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Image Source: Kiki Iriafen @ Instagram
