Kiki Iriafen credits Caitlin Clark led 2024 draft class for inspiring her: “Blessed to be a woman in sports”

Kiki Iriafen, a senior-to-be USC transfer, was outstanding for Stanford last season. Iriafen led the Cardinal to the Pac-12 regular season title and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, where they fell to NC State in the Sweet 16.

On Thursday, Iriafen joined CBS Sports for an interview, to discuss her career and the growth in women's basketball.

"I think the rookies of this past class have done an amazing job, on and off the court. On the court they didn't try to do too much, they just stayed within themselves and they were able to see so much success," Kiki said. [4:46]

"Definitely kind of having them set the stage a little bit for me and I can see all the opportunities that I can have in the next year. I feel so blessed to be a woman in sports at this time," she added.

"I feel like all the women before me who have fought for this and paved the way and I get to reap the benefits right now."

Kiki Iriafen's experience could be a valuable asset for the Trojans. The 6-foot-3 forward averaged 19.4 points, 11 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game at Standford last season.

Kiki Iriafen gives her opinion on teammate JuJu Watkins

Kiki Iriafen, the reigning Most Improved Player in the Pac-12, is back in Los Angeles, where she grew up and where her family lives.

She joined USC earlier this year, which means the Trojans fans will get to witness her partnership with JuJu Watkins, two of the country's most elite players.

During an interview with CBS, Iriafen commended her new teammate's talent and dedication.

"[0:36] I think for her she leads by example," Kiki said. "So, whatever she asks of her teammates, she's making sure that she does it herself and then outside of basketball I think she's just like super fun, super goofy, like, she's still just a kid. So it's been great to connect with her a lot this summer."

Kiki Iriafen, who enters her fourth year in college basketball, will likely make this her last season as she aims to enter next year's WNBA draft. ESPN's initial mock draft has the forward being selected second overall, just behind UConn's Paige Bueckers.