WNBA DRAFT

April 14, 2025

Sonia Citron

Washington Mystics

Q. I'm curious if you can take us through your earliest WNBA memories, like the moment in your life when you fell in love with the league, and also if you can share with us how you've really looked at the increased mainstream attention of the league in the past few years. How has that been fulfilling for you to see?

SONIA CITRON: Yeah. I mean, I think I remember obviously being from Notre Dame, falling in love with that Notre Dame team that eventually all went First Round, and I got to watch them play and just grow in the league.

It was amazing to watch them grow, watch them play and think that maybe someday could be me.

I think I've definitely fallen in love with the league just more and more because I never thought that I could be here truly, and so I mean, it's just amazing to be here and as for the viewership and the growth of women's basketball, I think it means everything to me, and I think I can talk for all players when I say that we work so hard for our craft, and to see people finally realizing that and appreciating that, it means a lot.

Q. I wanted to know, how do you feel about going to Washington to help rebuild that organization along with fellow draftees Kiki Iriafen and Georgia Amoore?

SONIA CITRON: Yeah, I'm really excited. I think it's an amazing opportunity. It's somewhere where I can really try and make an impact and learn from the amazing players that are already there. So just really, really excited to get to work, to learn from the vets there, to play alongside the rookies that you just mentioned. Yeah, just very, very excited to get to work.

Q. How has everything you've done up to this point helped prepare you for the next stage?

SONIA CITRON: Yeah, I think to be where I am, you can't get here if you don't practice and work extremely hard on your craft. And so, when I was a little kid, thankful to my parents who would drive me everywhere, drive me to tournaments, would pay for all of it, and I've put in the work, and it's showing.

Yeah, just putting in the work.

Q. You're a New Yorker, so what does it mean to be drafted in New York tonight? Does it make it extra special that you grew up a couple miles from here?

SONIA CITRON: Yeah, absolutely. I think when I think about getting drafted and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I want to be next to my family and my friends because I wouldn't be here without them. So, I think being in New York was an incredible opportunity where a bunch of my family could come and I could share this moment with them, so it made it truly special.

Q. How special is this draft class, and what were your emotions like once you finally heard your name after all the years of hard work?

SONIA CITRON: Yeah, I mean, this draft class is very, very special. Obviously, we know Paige and how incredible she is, but I think there is incredible talent in this draft class all throughout.

And emotions, I think I was very excited, but there was definitely nerves. Like I was shaking at the table, and after hearing my name, I kind of just felt relieved. I've been very anxious to know where I was going to be, and I finally know.

I'm just excited, very relieved.

Q. What will you tell your little girl about this moment?

SONIA CITRON: I would say -- like tell myself when I was a little girl?

Q. Yes.

SONIA CITRON: That you did it. I'm extremely proud of you. You trusted the process. You believed in yourself and you had a village that helped you get to where you are today, and you did it. It's not done yet. I've still got a lot of work to do.

Q. I know I'm not alone in thinking that your game is perfect for a pro, but why do you believe your game will translate well?

SONIA CITRON: Yeah, I think I pride myself on being able to play both sides of the ball, and I think that definitely translates. Just being an offensive threat but also being a good defender, and I hope to keep growing in both those areas, and just my mentality. I think I'm a very dependable, steady person and I'm going to put the work in every day, and yeah, just very steady, and I think that can also translate.

Q. You said recently that you really didn't think this would actually come, this day. You didn't think you'd get here. When did you realize that hey, maybe this is a reality and kind of what that process was like getting to this point?

SONIA CITRON: Yeah, I think I realized that I can really become -- well, I would say if you told me that I had got drafted first round, third pick, I wouldn't believe you. I think that probably became a reality to me this year like towards the end of the season.

But before that, I mean, yeah, I would have loved to play in the W, but I didn't know if it would happen. I had no clue because when I think about the W and all the amazing people that play there, it's just -- I don't know, it seems crazy to me.

But yeah, I think it was this year that I realized first round, but maybe college I would say I thought maybe I could do this.

Q. You alluded to all of the Notre Dame players that have come before you and how they've been an inspiration. Did you reach out to anybody ahead of time to get advice for what to do today?

SONIA CITRON: Yeah. Actually no. I talked to my coaches and they went to Notre Dame, so I guess that counts. When you think about like the Jackies, the Arikes, all them, I haven't hit them up yet, but I told another person that they can definitely be on the lookout because within the next couple of days I would definitely love to chat with them about what to expect now come training camp and rookie season.

They'll definitely be getting a message from me soon.