Kiki Iriafen knew the Washington Mystics might be a playoff group from the very starting.
The rookie ahead had a way of their potential based mostly on the collective mentality they introduced into the marketing campaign.
“We have at all times believed in ourselves, no matter what (preseason) rankings stated, what different folks stated,” Iriafen advised reporters, together with theScore, throughout media day at WNBA All-Star Weekend.
“We had such a perception in our core. Everyone was tremendous selfless and acquired into the mission that our coach had for us. So I do not suppose we’re shocked in any respect with the way in which that we’re taking part in, and we’ll solely get higher within the second half of the season.”
Washington has almost exceeded its win whole from a 12 months in the past. The group sits one recreation again of the WNBA’s eighth and remaining playoff spot getting into Friday’s showdown in opposition to the league-leading Minnesota Lynx.
The Mystics chosen Sonia Citron and Iriafen with the third and fourth general picks, respectively, on this 12 months’s WNBA draft. Each gamers have served as main catalysts for the franchise’s fast turnaround.
Citron has established herself as an efficient 3-and-D guard, flattening 36.9% of her makes an attempt from deep and routinely taking up the opposition’s prime perimeter threats. She performs with a cool, calm demeanor and by no means appears to be frazzled by the second. Whether or not it is making a well timed go or backdoor lower, Citron persistently does an excellent job of studying and reacting to the protection.
In the meantime, Iriafen’s relentless motor has made her a handful on the glass. The 6-foot-3 ahead ranks fourth in whole boards (238) and broke the Mystics’ rookie document for double-doubles in a season. Iriafen’s rim-running, face-up jumper, and driving capability give Washington’s offense extra choices.
Citron and Iriafen had been rewarded for his or her robust first half, changing into simply the second pair of rookie teammates in league historical past to be chosen as All-Stars.
“It has been wonderful going via this with Soni,” Iriafen stated. “She’s like a built-in sister. Constructed-in greatest buddy. And we really care about one another. At any time when she’s profitable, I really feel like I am profitable.
“So simply doing this entire factor collectively, I am not nervous as a result of I am like, ‘If something goes unsuitable, I’ve Soni proper subsequent to me.’ So I am excited to be on this journey along with her.”
Citron and Iriafen have grown shut since becoming a member of the Mystics group final April. They sit subsequent to one another on group flights, exit for meals on street journeys, and make TikTok movies collectively.
Washington’s guard-post tandem have even bonded via their shared love for Afrobeats. Citron has West African roots via her mom, whereas Iriafen is of Nigerian descent.
Iriafen believes all the time they’ve spent collectively exterior of basketball has improved their connection on the court docket.
“Soni’s simply tremendous good,” Iriafen stated. “Typically she sees issues that I do not even see. She’s (pointing along with her eyes) and I am like, ‘What?’ And he or she’s like, ‘Go backdoor!’ However she’s simply very selfless, and I believe our chemistry has gotten higher simply hanging out off the court docket.”
Georgia Amoore, the No. 6 general choose on this 12 months’s WNBA draft, can be a part of the tight-knit group of Mystics rookies. Nonetheless, the 5-foot-6 level guard has but to go well with up after sustaining a season-ending ACL harm lower than per week into coaching camp.
It was a tough solution to begin her profession, however Amoore takes solace within the help she’s obtained from Citron and Iriafen.
“They have been the perfect for me in my rehab course of,” Amoore stated. “They offer me plenty of power. We received drafted (collectively) and instantly clicked. From there, it is simply been fantastic.
“I am very grateful as a result of a scenario like that could be very uncommon to come back by. To have such a younger core that really will get alongside and enjoys one another like that.”
Citron and Iriafen say Amoore has been equally useful as they navigate their very own challenges throughout their first WNBA marketing campaign.
Iriafen described Amoore because the group’s “Energizer Bunny,” offering fixed encouragement all through video games. In the meantime, Citron appreciates with the ability to faucet into Amoore’s perspective from the bench.
“She’s nonetheless very current with our group,” Citron stated. “At all times there at apply. At all times there at video games. … I will at all times ask her what she sees throughout a recreation and what I might be doing higher. However she’s positively nonetheless very a lot a part of the group. We do not really feel like she’s lacking a beat.”
Amoore just lately served as a coach on the third annual Basketball With out Borders World girls’s camp hosted by the NBA, WNBA, and FIBA as a part of WNBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis.
You may see the sort of contributions her teammates credited each time Amoore pulled a participant apart for a fast phrase, gave instructions from the sidelines, or just cheered her gamers on.
She stated teaching 40 of the highest excessive school-age prospects from exterior the USA was a “good alternative” to step again and see the sport via a distinct lens. The Aussie flooring normal has approached her first 12 months as a professional in the identical method, observing Iriafen and Citron’s taking part in types and envisioning how she’ll match alongside the dynamic duo.
“I have been watching plenty of Kiki. It is at all times good when you’ve gotten a post-guard connection like that,” Amoore stated. “I’ve performed in opposition to Sonia for 3 years (in faculty), so I do know what she likes. I do know she’s an excellent cutter. I do know that she simply goes with the stream and assaults when wanted.
“I am tremendous excited to have the ability to ultimately play with them. … It is only a level guard’s job to determine it out and be an addition reasonably than simply being on the market with them. To raise one another.”
All three rookies credit score first-year head coach Sydney Johnson for making their transition to the WNBA as clean as potential.
Johnson’s consideration to element and keenness for the sport reminds Amoore of her faculty coach, Kenny Brooks. The Kentucky product finds it simple to speak with Johnson and appreciates the way in which he retains her engaged as she continues to rehab.
Iriafen admires the way in which Johnson prioritizes their psychological well being. He is gotten to know every of his gamers on a private foundation and commonly checks in to ensure they’re OK.
Johnson has taught Citron that every win and loss is not the be-all and end-all that it’d’ve been in faculty.
The younger Mystics have adopted that mindset, and it is helped them keep grounded of their pursuit of a postseason berth and success past this 12 months.
“He is a coach that actually by no means will get too excessive or too low. I actually love that about him simply since you do not actually know what is going on on as a rookie. … He is actually the one which we observe when we now have a foul loss or nice win,” Citron stated. “I believe it actually helps simply seeing him be so level-headed and calm.”
