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USC star Kiki Iriafen has signed an endorsement deal with Skechers Basketball ahead of the 2025 WNBA draft.
“This partnership is about more than just basketball,” Iriafen said. “Skechers understands who I am on and off the court and what I need to be at my best. I love that the brand is based in my hometown of L.A., and has the global reach to help me inspire and impact more female athletes worldwide to pursue their dreams. Skechers does comfort better than any other brand I’ve experienced, which gives me confidence to have them as my teammate as I enter into this next chapter of my life.”
The 6’3″ forward joins 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, Minnesota Timberwolves star Julius Randle and WNBA All-Rookie honoree Rickea Jackson among others on the Skechers Basketball roster.
“After two years on the court in the NBA and WNBA, it’s a big moment for Skechers Basketball to sign Kiki, our first college player, and embark on the journey with her as she begins her professional career,” Skechers president Michael Greenberg said.
“Kiki is a rising star with a bright future in the league. We look forward to supporting her from the draft through her first season and beyond. As the second woman on our basketball roster, she also furthers our mission to engage with female athletes around the world so that more players everywhere experience the signature Comfort That Performs of Skechers.”
Iriafen broke out as a junior at Stanford in 2023-24, taking full advantage of the larger role she received following Haley Jones’ departure. She built on that progress after transferring to USC for her final college season.
Across 35 games, the first-team All-Big Ten honoree averaged 18.0 points on 49.0 percent shooting along with 8.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks. She saved her best performance for the NCAA tournament as she put up 36 points and nine boards in a 96-59 win over Mississippi State in the second round.
Iriafen is widely considered a potential lottery pick in the 2025 draft. Rachel Galligan projected her to go sixth overall to the Washington Mystics in Bleacher Report’s most recent mock draft.
“The Mystics added much-needed depth to the backcourt with their first two picks, so this selection becomes more about best player available,” Galligan wrote. “Kiki Iriafen would bring instant depth to the frontcourt and add a versatile piece with great length, as she can in an uptempo system. In addition, her athleticism and paint presence can impact the WNBA immediately.
“Her stock is back on the rise after she transferred to USC, gotten more comfortable, found her stride and elevated her play in February and March. I would not be surprised if she went much earlier than No. 6.”
Jackson certainly looks to be a shrewd signing for Skechers Basketball after she was one of the stronger performers from the 2024 rookie class. Iriafen could prove to be an equally effective on-court representative for the brand.
