Paige Bueckers, once the frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award, looked like a lock before even stepping onto a WNBA court. Today, that picture is getting a lot more complicated. The Washington Mystics have Sonia Citron, and she’s crashing the party in a big way.
How Is Sonia Citron Changing the Rookie Race for Bueckers and the Washington Mystics?
Citron has gone from a quiet name on the scouting report to a real headache for opposing defenses. She’s not just scoring, she’s impacting every facet of the game. With Sunday’s 91-78 win over the Wings, Citron dropped double digits for the eighth straight contest, finishing the game with 18 points, five rebounds, and six assists.
That wasn’t just a good line– it edged out Bueckers for points, boards, and dimes, and Citron had a better field goal percentage to go with it.
Sonia Citron had more PTS, REB, & AST on a higher FG% than Paige Bueckers tonight. pic.twitter.com/ORHRJKMhb3
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) August 10, 2025
With Washington, Citron isn’t doing it alone. Fellow rookie Kiki Iriafen is picking up a major mantle alongside her, but Citron’s steady presence stands out. Eight consecutive double-digit games prove her reliability, night after night. Even when things get tricky, she’s figuring out ways to put points on the board, set up teammates, and clean the glass.
Citron is showing she can shine under pressure. While Bueckers still leads several categories and remains a favorite among fans, Citron’s all-in energy, skill, and consistency are turning heads and making the discussion much more interesting.
Fans are loving how Citron goes about her business. Whether she’s logging clutch stats or staying cool late in close games, her mix of efficiency and composure gets plenty of attention.
One fan even called for the award to be handed over now, skipping the debate: “The race is over. Give ROY to Citron already.”
The race is over. Give ROY to Citron already.
— Garrett Chollett (@chollettgarrett) August 10, 2025
In clutch moments, Citron keeps proving she’s a closer. Fans are taking notice, calling her out for her ability to deliver late in games, like this tweet labeling her “actually clutch:” Sonia is better and actually clutch.
Sonia is better and actually clutch
— icedoutskullhedz (@icedoutskulhedz) August 10, 2025
Citron also gets credit for effort. One fan pointed out her grit after the team battled back from a fourteen-point hole in the first half: helped lead her team to a comfortable win after being down 14 in the 1st half.
And, most importantly, helped lead her team to a comfortable win after being down 14 in the 1st half.
— SteveSherwood is against shielding pedophiles. (@steve_sherwood) August 10, 2025
And when fans want to know who steps up when the lights are brightest, Citron gets the shout: who showed up when the team needed them most.
We just saw who showed up when the team needed them most, ROTY in DC
— Nkululeko Tokologo (@nkululekotoko77) August 10, 2025
Of course, the debate rages on. A Bueckers supporter jumped in, reminding everyone what she’s overcoming, including playing through an injury and extra defensive attention: “Paige is simply ROTY.”
Mind you Paige playin thru an injury and gets doubled every possession they are both great but Paige is simply ROTY.
— ginsippa (@ginsippa1) August 10, 2025
As Citron’s fan club grows, Bueckers’ supporters are still out there sticking up for her. But what’s not up for debate is how the statistics keep putting Citron’s name in the conversation.
Why Does Sonia Citron Have a Better Shooting Percentage Than Paige Bueckers?
Every fan who figured Bueckers had Rookie of the Year locked up must wonder what comes next. With Citron playing smarter and tougher every night, the story isn’t as simple as anyone thought. The underdog is making noise, going toe-to-toe with some serious competition.
Citron brought the energy right from the jump. She cared for the ball, kept her cool, knocked down shots, and ensured her teammates had chances to score, too. Her confidence was contagious.
This isn’t a fluke, either. Citron keeps dropping big performances, including a night with 27 points and 11 rebounds. She’s had other monster games, like her 26 points on 9-of-12 shooting and clutch three-pointers near the buzzer. She just keeps finding ways to stay hot.
Her shooting percentage outpaces Bueckers because she’s picking her spots well, making good decisions, and timing her moves perfectly. Add in some reliable defense and it’s clear why her numbers keep climbing.
If the Mystics keep rolling behind Citron, she might just be the foundation the franchise builds on for a long time.
