Sonia Citron Is Making History in Washington One Night at a Time
Sonia Citron led Wednesday's win over Connecticut in points, rebounds and assists simultaneously, joining rare franchise company before her 23rd birthday. This is what a franchise cornerstone looks like in the making.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Mystics won 88-81 on Wednesday night, a road win over a Connecticut Sun team that came in at 2-14.
22-year-old Sonia Citron finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, leading the game in all three categories. It was her fourth career double-double and her first of this season. It was also the fifth time in franchise history a player has led or co-led a game in points, rebounds, and assists simultaneously. She joined A'ja Wilson, Jessica Shepard, Shakira Austin and Caitlin Clark on that list this season alone, which tells you something about the company she's keeping.
What makes the night matter beyond the box score is the age at which she's doing it. Before turning 23, Citron has now logged more than two games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds as a Mystic. Only two other players in franchise history have done that: Kiki Iriafen with six and Chamique Holdsclaw with seven. Holdsclaw is one of the most celebrated players in WNBA history. The fact that Citron's name belongs in that sentence is not a small thing.
She also shot 12-for-12 from the free throw line, becoming just the fourth player this season with a perfect night on at least 12 attempts. The others are Brittney Sykes, A'ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark.
Washington came in at 6-6 in the Commissioner's Cup needing a win to close that tournament on a positive note, and Citron delivered it in a building where the Mystics had every reason to be comfortable going through the motions. Instead she played like someone who understands that consistent performance regardless of the opponent is what separates good players from players you can build around.
The Mystics also got 22 points from Michaela Onyerwere, who shot 4-for-4 from three and extended her streak of scoring 15 or more points to four straight games. And Lauren Betts, making her first career start after beginning the season as a reserve, finished with 13 points and a career-high seven rebounds. The supporting cast is developing.
Washington closed the Commissioner's Cup 3-3, a winning record in the tournament for a team sitting at 6-7 overall, and out rebounded their opponent for the 11th time in 13 games.
Citron is a player who is putting her name next to franchise legends, and each night she reminds the rest of the league that they are going to have to start paying closer attention.