"We're already meshing super well": USC transfer KiKi Iriafen opens up about her on-court chemistry with JuJu Watkins 

After three years at Stanford, KiKi Iriafen moved to USC and is set to help JuJu Watkins lead the third-ranked Trojans to a great season. The pair, with Oregon State transfer Talia von Oelhoffen, will look to build on USC's run to the Elite Eight last season.

With the move in April, Iriafen has not had a long time to build her synergy with her USC teammates on the court. However, she revealed in a Tuesday interview with NBC Sports' "Got Next with Meghan & Zora" that things have been off to a smooth start.

"We're already meshing super well, Iriafen said (Timestamp: 6:17). "I would say we haven't even played that much together, but I think the chemistry – I think we're just hoopers, and we're able to play off each other.

"She's able to find me, I'm able to find her, so it's only going to continue to get better. I think pick-and-rolls with us will be really scary."

This will be Iriafen's final college season, and after reaching the Final Four as a freshman and the Sweet 16 in March, the Trojans will need the forward to tap into her skills and bring similar results.

USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb praises KiKi Iriafen and her chemistry with JuJu Watkins

In her junior season with the Cardinal, KiKi Iriafen averaged 19.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.6 steals. The forward shot 54.6%, including 33.3% from the 3-point range.

During interviews at the Big Ten media day this month, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised Iriafen and highlighted the role she will be playing this season.

“I’ve been actually incredibly impressed with how fast their chemistry has developed," Gottlieb said. "Kiki’s a pro, she’s gonna be a pro, but it’s good for her, I think, to play with a guard who goes off script, who’s creative. That’s not necessarily what she’s done before.

“I think JuJu and Kiki fit great together ... a pick-and-roll threat, an inside-out threat. Kiki is also really versatile, where she’s stretching her game and playing on the perimeter, and she’s a good passer. That creates more space where maybe I can post JuJu up a little bit more, get her more in space.”

Iriafen also spoke on her chemistry with her new teammates, adding that she was able to set the foundation for it during the summer and will be building on that as the season progresses.

“I feel like I bring defense and energy, but I’m really just whatever Coach G wants me to do, kind of filing in the missing piece,” Iriafen said. “That’s defensively and offensively, being a good teammate."

The USC Trojans will begin their 2024-25 season on Monday against Ole Miss in Paris.

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