Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron is often described by her on-court presence: stoic, level-headed, and a steadying force for her team. Her smooth, disciplined playing style has earned her the nickname “silent assassin” from teammates. Yet this tranquil persona belies the rich cultural background and relentless drive that have shaped her into one of the WNBA’s burgeoning stars.
In her rookie season, Citron’s versatile play has not only garnered admiration from peers and fans but also secured her a coveted spot in the WNBA All-Star Game. This immediate impact is the result of a profound work ethic and a unique personal history.
“A lot of people see how I play and how I act, and they think I’m just very one tone,” Citron said. “While I am cool, calm and collected, and just a very chill person, I’m more than that.”
That depth is rooted in her West African heritage. Citron’s maternal grandparents were born in Cape Verde and later moved their 13 children, including Citron’s mother, Yolanda, to Senegal. Growing up in a home with a chicken farm and mango trees, Yolanda was immersed in the region’s culture, a blend of Cape Verdean and Senegalese traditions that she passed down to her children after immigrating to the United States.
Citron’s upbringing in New York was filled with Senegalese cuisine and Cape Verdean music. Her favorite dishes include popular Senegalese staples like thiébou yapp (rice and lamb), maafe (a peanut stew), and yassa (braised chicken), which her mother often brings on visits. Music, particularly the soothing melodies of Cape Verde that her grandmother loved, became a source of peace and stability.
“It brings me peace,” Citron explained, noting she turns to it to recalibrate after a bad game or a tough day. “It calms me down.”
This cultural foundation has also sparked a love for Afrobeats, with artists like Omah Lay, Wizkid, and Burna Boy among her favorites. Now, Citron is taking a deeper interest in her lineage, working with her mother to trace their family history more fully. She plans to visit both Cape Verde and Senegal during a break from basketball, a trip she describes as being on her “bucket list.”
“I think it’s something a lot of people do not know because you can’t tell by just looking at me, but I do have a lot of culture, a lot of background, and it has definitely shaped who I am,” she said.
On the court, Citron has faced the league’s challenges head-on. Logging nearly 33 minutes per game, she has had to quickly adapt to the WNBA’s physicality. “She’s been manhandled all season long,” said Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson. “Pulled, grabbed and held. Freedom of movement doesn’t really exist for Sonia.”
Despite this, Citron has excelled, averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting over 37% from three-point range. In one standout performance against the Chicago Sky, she scored a career-high 28 points. Her scoring average is on pace to be the highest for a Mystics rookie since Chamique Holdsclaw in 1999.
“It’s very rare when you have first-year players who are not only talented but check all the boxes in terms of level of professionalism, coachability, and a desire to be great,” Johnson said. “She inspires our coaches and our players.”
This combination of talent and character has earned her widespread respect. Fellow Mystics rookie and All-Star Kiki Iriafen praised her consistency, while veteran stars have also taken notice. “I’ve always been a big fan of Soni’s,” said four-time Las Vegas Aces All-Star Jackie Young. “I always thought that people were sleeping on her.” After winning this year’s 3-Point Contest, New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu gave half of her winnings to Citron, crediting the rookie for her courage in competing.
For Citron, who holds herself to an exceptionally high standard in everything from basketball to cooking, the All-Star recognition was validating but not surprising. It was always the bar she set for herself.
“I’ve always believed in myself, more so now maybe than earlier,” she said. “There’s still a lot for me to get better at. There’s still a lot for me to do. I’m blessed and thankful for it, but the sky is still the limit. That was always the case.”
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