WASHINGTON (AP) — When Sonia Citron and Kiki Iliafen were selected by the Washington Mystics, it was clear they had a chance to make an immediate impact.
What happened next was historic.
Citron and Iliafen were named WNBA All-Stars last weekend, becoming the first rookie duo on the same team to earn that honor since 1999. Their selection highlighted how quickly they proved themselves in the league and boosted the Mystics’ outlook.
“From day one, Slim (Guard Britney Sykes) told us, ‘You’re not rookies. We drafted you for a reason, so just go out and play your game,'” Citron said.
This kind of recognition is rare, even for top draft picks. The WNBA is known for its steep learning curve. Each standout rookie, like Paige Bueckers, generally faces a slow adjustment period.
Yet this year, Bueckers, Citron, and Iliafen all became All-Stars, marking the first time three rookies achieved this since 2011. Moreover, Citron is maintaining an average of over 10 points per game as a rookie.
Opportunity has played a big role. After a 14-26 season last year, Washington hired Jamila Weidman as general manager and Sidney Johnson as head coach. The Mystics then selected Citron from Notre Dame with the third overall pick and Iliafen from Southern California right after. This created an ideal situation for both players to thrive.
They also had the chance to train alongside some of the league’s biggest stars in Indiana.
“I think they’re ready to take another leap forward, and rubbing elbows with top players pushes them to be their best,” said coach Johnson.
Standing 6-foot-3, Iliafen scored 17 points in the All-Star game, while 6-foot-1 Citron added 11 points. Citron also competed in the 3-point contest.
Johnson praised how elite players like Sabrina Ionescu perform and how that influences Citron.
“Sabrina put on a show in the three-point contest. Sonia knows her own talent, but seeing Sabrina’s level brings new respect and inspiration. It’s about professionalism, competitiveness, and dedication,” Johnson said.
The main challenge now is consistency. Citron averages 13.8 points per game, second on the team behind fellow All-Star Sykes. Iliafen averages 12 points and leads the team with 8.3 rebounds.
They aren’t resting on their All-Star laurels. In Washington’s first game after the break, they lost to Los Angeles, with Citron scoring seven points and Iliafen contributing 13.
“We try to impact the game in multiple ways—scoring, defense, whatever it takes. We’re not satisfied with just what we did in the first half of the season; we want to keep improving,” Iliafen said.
The Mystics, with an 11-12 record, entered recent games close to Golden State (10-12), Las Vegas (12-11), and Indiana (12-12). After the Sparks’ loss, Washington began an important five-game home stretch crucial to their playoff hopes.
The Mystics won the championship in 2019 but have missed the playoffs the last two years.
No matter what happens next, Washington is optimistic about the future after witnessing the impact of their rookie All-Stars.
“I think it’s amazing. Kiki and I work really hard, so it’s so cool for people to finally notice,” Citron said.
Fan Take: This breakthrough for Citron and Iliafen is a major boost for WNBA fans hungry for fresh talent and excitement. Their rapid rise not only strengthens the Mystics but also signals a bright future for the league as new stars emerge quickly and captivate audiences.
