Story by
“Super Grateful”: Sonia Citron Shares Powerful Message About Her Team USA World Cup Journey
- Story by
- “Super Grateful”: Sonia Citron Shares Powerful Message About Her Team USA World Cup Journey
Good things happen to those who wait, and despite the situation being unfortunate for Kelsey Plum, who withdrew from the Team USA squad for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, Sonia Citron has been the lucky one to replace the injured superstar.
On Monday, USA Basketball announced that Citron, alongside Kiki Iriafen, was added to the Team USA roster that's heading to Berlin. The Washington Mystics duo were named the replacements for A'Ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, who both withdrew from the competition due to health reasons.
Advertisement
Following her call-up to the national squad, Citron expressed her excitement in a video shared by the WNBA on Tuesday.
"It means everything. Super, super grateful to be part of this experience. It's always an honor representing your country, so whenever you get the chance, it's just amazing," Citron said .
She added, "I've never been to Germany. I never got to spend actual time here…Traveling to different countries is always amazing. You just got a different perspective of how people live."
Citron will be having her World Cup debut for the senior squad come tip-off on Friday, after representing the United States in youth competitions. She's also coming in with a stellar resume in international competitions, as she's won gold medals in the U-15 Americas Championship in 2019 and the U-19 World Cup in 2021 alongside Caitlin Clark.
"A great experience for them": Mystics reporter looks forward to Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen's stint with Team USA at the World Cup
Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen may be over the moon after they were able to get their last-minute tickets to Berlin to be part of Team USA for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, but little did they know, the whole Washington Mystics community also feels the same way.
May 18, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) reacts after committing a turnover against the Dallas Wings during the second half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
On Sunday, Mystics beat reporter Jarrett Spence couldn't contain his excitement at seeing Citron and Iriafen with Team USA and how they would benefit from it in his post on X.
"Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen both joining the USA Women's Basketball Team will be a great experience for them. Just being around all those talented players and see how some of the best players in the league go about their day to day work," Spence wrote.
Team USA's World Cup campaign will tip off against China on September 4, followed by Italy on September 6, and Czechia on September 7. They'll be gunning for their fifth consecutive gold medal finish in the World Cup, where Citron and Iriafen's contributions will surely be noted if they achieve such a feat.
Advertisement
Related Reading:
May 18, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks to pass as Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) defends during the second half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
https://hardwoodheroics.com/caitlin-ones-caitlin-clark-new-shoe/
https://hardwoodheroics.com/aliyah-boston-kelsey-mitchells-career-path/
https://hardwoodheroics.com/angel-reese-courtney-williams-viral-jab/
https://hardwoodheroics.com/kelsey-plum-message-after-team-usa-withdrawal/
