Sonia Citron and Paige Backers represent an intriguing new duo for Team USA basketball—one known for her quiet sharpshooting and the other as a rising star symbolizing the future of American basketball. Their growing partnership is built on a strong off-court friendship that has translated into encouraging each other’s development on the court, as Citron explained, crediting their time together at Unrivaled Basketball for deepening their bond.
As the FIBA World Cup qualifiers near in Puerto Rico, the United States team, already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in Berlin, is using the tournament to experiment with fresh combinations of veteran players and promising newcomers. Among these is the emerging backcourt pairing of Citron and Backers, who are currently forging chemistry in the Unrivaled Basketball league.
Following a recent defeat by Mist BC, Citron shared how she and Backers, both expected to be 2025 WNBA Draft picks, have developed a strong connection beyond just basketball. “Paige is an outgoing, fun person who gets me out of the house; Unrivaled really brought us closer as teammates and friends,” Citron said, adding that their mutual support pushes them to improve while they simultaneously cheer for each other’s success.
Backers echoed these sentiments, highlighting the “real connection” she feels with Citron, even outside of their Breeze BC team environment. Meanwhile, another standout player, Buccaneer, made headlines with the Dallas Wings by earning Rookie of the Year honors and a spot on the All-WNBA second team after a strong college career.
Citron’s impressive 3-point shooting—boasting a 44.5% accuracy rate—shocked many as she became a central figure in the Mystics’ offense early on. Her freshman year achievements earned her a place on the 2025 All-Rookie Team alongside Buccaneer and fellow franchise teammates Kiki Iriafen, Dominic Malonga, and Janelle Saraun.
Looking ahead, the potential for Citron and Buccaneer to represent the U.S. National Team in future competitions, such as the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifiers, presents an exciting opportunity to see how their off-court harmony translates into on-court success. Their developing camaraderie echoes legendary WNBA rivalries like that of Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird—two fierce competitors who maintained a deep friendship and won multiple Olympic gold medals together while always striving to outplay each other.
This type of spirited friendship sets a promising example for Citron and Buccaneer as they continue to refine their games and build chemistry within USA Basketball’s framework.
In other news, Sonia Citron has praised Brittney Sykes for her exceptional work ethic. Despite a demanding year jumping from college to the WNBA draft and then into professional play and off-season leagues, Citron notes Sykes’ relentless dedication to training and physical conditioning as a model to follow. Though Sykes was traded to Seattle shortly after Citron was drafted third overall by the Mystics, Citron’s rookie season was historic—she broke the team’s single-season scoring record with 657 points. Her resilience was clear in a recent game against Mist BC where, after a rough first half, she rebounded to score 17 points on 8-of-16 shooting.
As a key piece in the Mystics’ youthful roster, Citron aims to carry the lessons learned from Unrivaled into the 2026 WNBA season, fueling both her personal growth and that of the team.
Fan Take:
This emerging partnership between Sonia Citron and Paige Backers is a thrilling development for WNBA fans, signaling the rise of a new generation of stars poised to elevate the sport. Their blend of friendship, competitiveness, and on-court talent could redefine teamwork and chemistry in women’s basketball, making the coming years especially exciting for USA Basketball and the WNBA alike.
