A New Chapter for USC Basketball
Kiki Iriafen, the former University of Southern California standout, has been named to the United States Women's Basketball National Team that will compete in the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup.
Her first appearance came at the qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she averaged 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds over five games, marking the start of her international career.
The USA squad is grouped with China, Italy and Czechia for the opening stage, with matches scheduled for September 4, 6 and 7 respectively.
Iriafen also earned a spot on the 2026 AT&T WNBA All‑Star Game, securing her second straight All‑Star selection and underscoring her rapid rise.
The achievement is especially notable because she becomes USC’s first top‑10 pick in the WNBA Draft since 2004, a milestone that highlights the program’s resurgence.
During the 2024‑25 season she collected WBCA Coaches' All‑America honors, unanimous All‑Big Ten First Team recognition and AP/USBWA Third Team All‑America accolades, while averaging 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
The national team boasts 12 veterans who together hold ten Olympic gold medals and five World Cup titles, a depth that positions the United States as the clear favorite for another podium finish.
Nine of the twelve players will be making their World Cup debut, but the blend of experience and fresh talent promises a competitive campaign as the squad chases its fifth consecutive and 12th overall gold medal.
Iriafen’s inclusion signals a bright future for both her professional trajectory and the Trojans program, as she prepares to contribute to what could become another historic chapter in USA Basketball.