The 2025 season was always going to be a rebuilding year for the Washington Mystics. With All-Star Ariel Atkins traded to the Chicago Sky and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough departing in free agency, big changes were underway. Even the father-son duo of Mike and Eric Thibault, who previously held the roles of head coach and GM, were let go. Enter new head coach Sydney Johnson and a trio of top-10 draft picks: Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Georgia Amoore. And safe to say, the Mystics aren’t regretting those picks one bit. One of them has already emerged as a serious contender for Rookie of the Year.

The Washington Mystics may be in rebuild mode, but don’t let that fool you–they’re still fighting hard. With injuries to veterans like Shakira Austin and Aaliyah Edwards, the team’s young core, the youngest in the WNBA, has stepped up, leaning on Iriafen and Citron to fill critical roles. They opened the 2025 season with back-to-back wins, one of just two teams to do so. While they’ve dropped their next two games, both were close contests that could’ve gone either way. And the biggest bright spot? The impressive play of rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron. There’s definitely plenty for Mystics fans to be excited about.

The Mystics may have suffered a tough loss to the Aces—blowing a 12-point lead and falling by just three–but it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Infact, it was the rookie duo of Sonia and Kiki who stood out! They combined for 36 points against the Aces. Kiki also made history last night! She became the first Mystics rookie ever to notch three straight double-doubles. She also became the youngest player to hit that mark since Tina Charles back in 2010.

But Iriafen’s no one-trick pony, she’s shooting 51.4% from the field and even limited Brittney Griner’s shot quality in her debut, though foul trouble’s been a hiccup, like fouling out against the Dream.

And people are noticing. According to the latest Rookie of the Year odds, Kiki and Sonia are closing in fast on top pick Paige Bueckers. The competition is fierce, and Paige won’t have it easy. If she wants to claim that award, she’ll need to bring her A-game–because this rookie battle is heating up like never before. But it isn’t just Bueckers who is facing the heat.

Angel Reese is catching plenty of heat lately, thanks to Kiki Iriafen’s standout performances. Fans are starting to wonder if Kiki might actually be better than the current favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. If the former USC forward keeps playing like this, that comparison isn’t far-fetched at all. Naturally, social media is buzzing with opinions. Let’s check out some of the fan takes.

Kiki Iriafen’s recent performances a problem for Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers

Fans have been loving Kiki Iriafen’s performance all season and they made that clear on social media. One fan simply declared, “🗣️ ROOKIE OF THE YEAR,” and honestly, judging by her recent games, they’re not wrong. This reaction captures the excitement around Iriafen’s immediate impact, with fans marveling at her ability to dominate the paint and outshine expectations for a No. 4 pick. They see her as a game-changer, especially since she’s carrying a rebuilding Mystics team to unexpected wins.

Iriafen is currently putting up 14.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. In the matchup against the Aces, she scored 17 points and grabbed 13 boards, joining Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Satou Sabally as the only rookies since 2020 to post three straight double-doubles. She’s been unstoppable! One fan summed it up perfectly: “Kiki is flat out a Baller 🏀.”

Fans are hyped because Iriafen’s not just putting up numbers—she’s doing it with a polished game, from mid-range jumpers to tenacious rebounding, that makes her look like a veteran.

On the other hand, Paige Bueckers has had a decent start too, averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. But her Wings are still searching for their first win this season. Both rookies have kicked off their careers strongly, but it’s clear that Iriafen’s impact has caught more eyes, making her a fan favorite. One fan put it simply: “If she continues like this, she’ll win rookie of the year.”

But it’s not just Bueckers getting compared—Angel Reese has been dragged into this debate too. One fan didn’t hold back, writing, “KIKI>>>>>>>>>>>REESE.” This mostly comes down to how Reese has struggled this season. Her start hasn’t been great–she shot just 5-for-22 from the field in her two games and has turned the ball over 10 times. Plus, the Sky haven’t won a game yet, which only fuels the conversation. Another fan even said, “Kiki is what Reese fans think Reese plays like,” driving the point home.

That said, Reese does pull down more rebounds, averaging 14 per game compared to Kiki’s numbers. But her shooting percentage is much lower than Kiki’s solid 48%. The comparisons are understandable, but it’s still early in the season. Let’s see how things shake out. Reese proved in her rookie year that she’s a powerhouse. It hasn’t been the smoothest start, but champions like her can turn things around anytime.