When the Washington Mystics tipped off the 2025 WNBA season, most fans weren’t expecting them to make noise — not after losing key veterans and hitting the reset button. But in just a few weeks, the Mystics have gone from a forgotten squad to one of the league’s most exciting young stories. And that’s thanks in large part to the rise of two standout rookies: Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron.
Both players came into the league with high expectations — Iriafen after transferring to USC and dominating the Pac-12, and Citron following a rock-solid career at Notre Dame. But few predicted they’d have this kind of impact right away. Through the first six games of the season, the Mystics are 3-3, a major improvement from last year’s 0-12 start. And that turnaround has been fueled by youth, energy, and a whole lot of confidence.
Kiki Iriafen Is Dominating the Paint
Kiki Iriafen might just be the steal of the 2025 draft. The 6’3″ forward is averaging a near double-double each night, bringing grit, hustle, and high-IQ basketball to a Mystics frontcourt that desperately needed it. She’s currently posting averages of 14.3 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, while shooting efficiently and defending with maturity beyond her years.
What stands out most? Her physicality and poise. Whether she’s banging in the post or chasing down rebounds in traffic, Iriafen looks like a veteran. She’s fearless, aggressive, and already acting like a vocal leader. In the May 24 win over the Indiana Fever, she pulled down 11 rebounds and had multiple key defensive stops on Aliyah Boston. That’s not something most rookies can say.
She’s also been getting it done without forcing things. Her shot selection is smart, and she’s staying within the flow of the offense. That’s helping the Mystics’ spacing and making things easier for her teammates — especially her fellow rookie running the wing.
Sonia Citron Is the Real Deal on the Perimeter
Sonia Citron is giving the Mystics exactly what they needed: a consistent perimeter threat who can shoot, slash, and defend. And the best part? She’s already close to joining the elite 50/40/90 shooting club — that’s 50% from the field, 40% from deep, and 90% from the free-throw line. That level of efficiency is almost unheard of for a rookie.
Citron is averaging 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, while also taking on tough defensive assignments every night. She’s a two-way player in every sense, and her basketball IQ shines when the game slows down in the halfcourt.
What’s making her so valuable, though, is her adaptability. Need a spot-up shooter? Citron’s got you. Need a ball handler when the defense traps? She can break the press. In a recent win against the Phoenix Mercury, she hit two clutch threes late in the fourth quarter that helped ice the game.
A New Era in D.C.
The Mystics aren’t just getting solid stats from Iriafen and Citron — they’re getting identity. This team finally has a clear direction: build around youth, develop high-character players, and let them grow through experience.
In a league that often demands patience with rookies, Washington is embracing the challenge. Head coach Eric Thibault is trusting his young stars with big minutes and high-pressure situations. And that trust is paying off. The team’s ball movement looks sharper, the defense is more connected, and the vibes? They’re up.
It’s not just about rebuilding — it’s about reimagining what’s possible when you invest in the future.
We’re only a few games into the 2025 season, but it’s already clear that Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron are the real deal. They’re not just rookies, they are cornerstones. They’ve brought life back to a franchise that looked stuck, and they’re giving fans in D.C. a reason to believe again.
If this is what the future looks like, the Mystics might not have to wait long to contend again. The youth movement is here, and it’s only getting started.