Former Stanford standout, Kiki Iriafen, has made the decision to transfer to USC, as reported by ESPN. This move comes just four days after Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer announced her retirement. It seems that Iriafen was already aware of her destination, as she entered the transfer portal with a “do not contact” tag.
For Iriafen, this means she will have the opportunity to play her final year of collegiate basketball in her hometown of Los Angeles. She will also have the chance to team up with another talented Angeleno, JuJu Watkins. Iriafen had an impressive season last year, averaging 19.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, helping Stanford secure the Pac-12 regular-season title. Her outstanding performance earned her the Katrina McClain Award for the best power forward in the country.
One particular game that caught everyone’s attention was when Iriafen scored 41 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and blocked three shots in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Stanford narrowly defeated Iowa State in an 87-81 overtime victory. This performance put Iriafen on the radar of every opposing team, as she continued to excel with strong showings in subsequent games.
Interestingly, Stanford and USC faced each other twice during the 2023-24 season. In their first matchup on February 2, USC emerged victorious with a score of 67-58, largely thanks to Watkins’ incredible 51-point performance. However, Iriafen managed to neutralize 16 of those points. The same outcome occurred on March 10 when USC defeated Stanford once again to claim the Pac-12 tournament title. Iriafen contributed 18 points in that game.
In the NCAA Tournament, USC made it to the Elite Eight, with Watkins leading the team in scoring throughout each round. Unfortunately, they were eventually defeated by UConn. With Iriafen’s arrival and their move to the Big Ten next year, USC undoubtedly has high hopes of surpassing their previous achievements.
Overall, this transfer is a significant development in Iriafen’s career. It not only allows her to play in her hometown but also provides her with the opportunity to continue showcasing her skills at a top-tier program. With her exceptional performance last season, Iriafen is considered a potential lottery pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, with the potential to go as the first overall pick.