Skechers has welcomed its first college athlete to its ambassador roster by signing a deal with USC women’s basketball forward Kiki Iriafen in advance of the 2025 WNBA draft, in which she is anticipated to be a top pick.
Iriafen will wear Skechers Basketball shoes once she reaches the pros and appear in global marketing campaigns for the southern California-based brand. She will specifically wear the SKX Nexus style on the court, the brand has confirmed.
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The shoe is a low-top court sneaker crafted for speed, stability and support. Special elements of the shoe include Skechers Move Foam, a breathable mesh upper, lockdown ankle support in the heel and Goodyear rubber with a torsion-plate which helps with traction and quick movements in the game.
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“This partnership is about more than just basketball. Skechers understands who I am on and off the court and what I need to be at my best,” Iriafen said. “I love that the brand is based in my hometown of L.A., and has the global reach to help me inspire and impact more female athletes worldwide to pursue their dreams. Skechers does comfort better than any other brand I’ve experienced, which gives me confidence to have them as my teammate as I enter into this next chapter of my life.”
Okikiola “Kiki” Iriafen was a standout player while she attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles; she set school records for points and rebounds and was recognized as a McDonald’s All-American in 2021. Among her many accomplishments thus far, she was the recipient of the Katrina McClain Award for best power forward in NCAA women’s basketball in 2024 during her college career at Stanford, where she received an engineering degree. She is currently in pursuit of a master’s degree at the USC Marshall School of Business while she plays during her final year of college eligibility.
“After two years on the court in the NBA and WNBA, it’s a big moment for Skechers Basketball to sign Kiki, our first college player, and embark on the journey with her as she begins her professional career,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “Kiki is a rising star with a bright future in the league. We look forward to supporting her from the draft through her first season and beyond. As the second woman on our basketball roster, she also furthers our mission to engage with female athletes around the world so that more players everywhere experience the signature Comfort That Performs of Skechers.”
Additional Skechers basketball ambassadors include Rickea Jackson of the WNBA and Julius Randle and Terance Mann of the NBA, among other NBA players.