Washington Mystics’ rookie guard Sonia Citron is off to a hot start in her WNBA career. The Notre Dame product has started every game this season and recently had to defend New York Liberty superstar Sabrina Ionescu.
Ionescu got the better of the rookie and handed Citron a welcome-to-the-WNBA moment.
Sonia Citron Gets a ‘Welcome to the W’ Love Tap From Sabrina Ionescu
Citron was the third overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft after an outstanding career at Notre Dame. She’s quickly adjusted to life in the WNBA, averaging 14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
Washington’s start to the season hasn’t been as strong, but the future is bright for the Mystics. The team selected Kiki Iriafen with the fourth overall pick and Georgia Amoore with the sixth. The Mystics are young and hungry, but Citron and Washington just got a lesson from one of the league’s best teams, New York.
Citron drew Ionescu mid-way through the third quarter, and the five-year veteran baited the rookie into an easy foul call. Ionescu then dished out Citron’s “welcome to the W” moment with a tap on the shorts after the whistle.
A little love tap from Sabrina Ionescu to Sonia Citron 😂 Welcome to the W ROOK!
NYL-WAS | ION pic.twitter.com/YedTNY8kfE
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 31, 2025
Ionescu was exceptional in the matchup, leading all scorers with 28 points and four made 3-pointers. The Liberty continued their perfect start to the season, and the three-time All-Star had a great message for Citron after the game.
WNBA writer Myles Ehrlich tweeted, “Sabrina Ionescu on Sonia Citron: ‘She’s one of my favorite players out of this rookie class. Someone I watched in college and saw a lot of myself in her. I reached out to her when she was drafted, so I could be someone in the league she can always come to.’ (Q: Rob Moseley)”
Sabrina Ionescu on Sonia Citron: “She’s one of my favorite players out of this rookie class. Someone I watched in college and saw a lot of myself in her. I reached out to her when she was drafted, so I could be someone in the league she can always come to.” (Q: Rob Moseley)
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) May 31, 2025
On top of Citron already averaging over 14 points a game, Iriafen has also adjusted well to the professional game. The forward has averaged 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds so far in 2025.
The Mystics also selected Lucy Olsen in the second round, and she’s seen action in every game this season. Olsen has averaged 3.0 points and 1.3 rebounds in just over 10 minutes per game.
Unfortunately, Amoore tore her ACL just before the season began, but the four rookies are well-positioned for long-term success. New York won the WNBA title last season and still runs the Eastern Conference, but Washington has a chance to make some noise in the conference and the Commissioner’s Cup, especially with Caitlin Clark’s recent injury.
