Some players dominate with skill, others with presence. Kiki Iriafen does both. Whether she’s commanding the paint for USC or uplifting her teammates with boundless energy, her impact goes beyond the stat sheet. But behind the rising WNBA prospect is a deeper story, one shaped by her heritage, family values, and a journey that took her from Stanford to her home city of Los Angeles.

Growing up, basketball wasn’t the set path for Kiki. She once viewed it as a sport meant for men. But standing at 6-foot-3 and naturally athletic, she gave it a shot in eighth grade and never looked back. Now, she’s not only one of USC’s biggest stars but a potential lottery pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. And beyond the hardwood, she’s a proud Nigerian-American carving out a legacy both on and off the court.

What is Kiki Iriafen’s Ethnicity?

Kiki Iriafen shares a Nigerian-American ethnicity. Her parents, Yemi and Harrison Iriafen, both Nigerian-born, ingrained family values focused on education growing up. The forward’s grandfather, Segun Ogunsaju, was a professor, while her grandmother, Fadeke, worked at a university in Nigeria. So athletics wasn’t a priority in the family. Yet, Kiki’s natural talent while still a scholar student, and her determination to continue in the sport, changed the narrative.

Iriafen’s connection to her Nigerian roots extends beyond just family traditions. She’s quite proud of her ethnicity and wants to give back to her community in all possible manner.

As a Design major from Stanford, Kiki Iriafen has plans to use her education to work on women’s health initiatives in Nigeria. She hopes to merge creativity with culture in her aim to improve the lives of her people. “I am passionate about my culture, so I could do some design work in Nigeria or work with women and children working on women’s health,” shared the forward.

What is Kiki Iriafen’s nationality? Where was she born?

Born and raised in Los Angeles’ Tarzana neighborhood, Kiki Iriafen is an American citizen with Nigerian roots. The youngster’s parents, Yemi and Harrison Iriafen are originally from Nigeria, with her grandparents living there until recently. It was in search of better opportunities that they migrated to the US a few decades ago. Now, Yemi works in a home health consultancy and her father runs an agriculture business.

All while one thing was clear in the Iriafen family– do not lose focus academically. And Kiki seemed to have followed, maintaining a 4.3 GPA in her high school while juggling AP courses and basketball. But this did not mean her parents took her interest in basketball lightly. They might not have athletic backgrounds, but they have ensured efforts to the Tee when it comes to her game. “But one thing that no one can take away from her will be her family present, at her games,” her mother says.

As an all-time rebound leader and all-time scorer at Harvard-Westlake School, she proved that excellence could extend beyond academics. And Kiki’s success has not only had an impact on her neighborhood community but also on her very own family members. Shuby, her 14-year-old sibling is focusing on soccer as a career path while her 11-year-old sister, Oyikan, has taken up basketball in school.

What religion does Kiki Iriafen follow?

Kiki Iriafen is a devoted Christian, with Catholicism being yet another important family value.

Her religious beliefs were then shaped by her time at St. Jane Frances de Chantal School (SJF), where she spent her early schooling and graduated in 2017. Kiki recalls her time at SFJ where prayer was a daily practice or “an important part of our daily lives,” as she puts it.

The USC forward has kept up with it, making prayers a pre-game routine now. “I say a quick prayer before every basketball game. I also prayed really hard when deciding on which college to attend. So, faith is clearly a big part of my life,” she admits.

With her talent, values, and leadership, Kiki Iriafen’s story is still being written.