Kiki Iriafen walked into the WNBA with all eyes on her. The rookie’s hustle, grit, and knack for grabbing every loose ball have Washington Mystics fans buzzing: Is this the start of something special in Washington, or just one incredible run? For Iriafen, the hype started the moment she broke a record no one thought would fall so soon.
How Did Kiki Iriafen Break the Washington Mystics’ Rookie Rebounding Record?
Mystics forward Iriafen made her mark Friday night, beating a long-standing franchise record that belonged to Hall of Famer Chamique Holdsclaw. Despite the team’s 80-76 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, Iriafen reached a milestone during the final seconds. She pulled down her third offensive rebound of the night, totaling nine boards, and that last grab pushed her season tally to 247 rebounds, one more than Holdsclaw’s rookie record from 1999.
Holdsclaw’s record came in 31 games and about 1,065 minutes. Iriafen needed only 30 games and roughly 793 minutes to set the new standard. That moment meant more than numbers for the rookie.
“It’s definitely an honor to have broken a record of someone as legendary as her,” Iriafen told reporters. “I didn’t even know I did it until like 30 seconds ago.”
USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, who coached Iriafen in college, shared her excitement by reposting the Mystics’ highlight on social media. Gottlieb summed it up perfectly: “Just casually setting records.”
What Makes Iriafen’s Rebounding Stand Out for the Mystics?
For Iriafen, snagging rebounds is more than just something she does well; she sees it as her calling card. “I feel like rebounding is my thing, something I can be really consistent at,” she said. That focus started in high school, when she realized it was the part of the game she could always control. Since then, she’s made it her main job every night.
At 6-foot-3, Iriafen ranks fourth in the WNBA in total rebounds, showing how her size and energy translate to production. She averages 12.1 points on 48.1% shooting, plus 1.5 assists in 26.4 minutes per game. Iriafen has started all 30 contests, joining rookie Sonia Citron as the only Mystics to do so during the 2025 campaign. Both earned All-Star honors, the first Mystics rookies to do that since Holdsclaw.
Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson pointed out her rookie’s all-out approach. “I’m just not sure there’s anything that we’ve asked [Iriafen] to do that she hasn’t just poured herself into,” Johnson said.
Kiki Iriafen came out of the half firing 💪
Iriafen has scored 13 PTS (5-5 FGM) in the 3Q. She’s up to 19 PTS, 10 REB in the game!
WAS-DAL on CBS Sports Network | WNBA Rivals Week presented by @Ally pic.twitter.com/kZzukXyOPx
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 10, 2025
Iriafen’s rebounding numbers keep piling up. She’s hit double digits in rebounds in 10 games so far, nearly reaching the combined total for all other WNBA rookies, who have done it 13 times. In her second pro game against Connecticut on May 18, Iriafen grabbed a career-high 14 boards.
From rebounding records to praise from both college and pro coaches, Iriafen has quickly become a fixture in the Mystics’ frontcourt. Her knack for controlling the glass and contributing every game has turned her into a player fans and teammates count on. With her streak of starts, All-Star nod, and a new spot in the franchise record book, Iriafen’s presence signals a new era for Washington. The Mystics are moving forward with a rookie who refuses to settle for anything less than making history.