Washington Mystics stars Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron will join Team USA for the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Berlin, team officials announced Monday. They’ll replace a pair of former top WNBA draft picks: Phoenix Mercury guard Kelsey Plum and Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson.
Plum and Wilson will miss the World Cup, which begins Friday, due to health issues.
Wilson, a four-time MVP, has not missed time due to any specific injury. But she leads the WNBA in points and blocks while playing more than 30 minutes per game. The reigning WNBA Finals MVP will rest during the league’s World Cup break to prepare for a playoff run.
Plum has dealt with a persistent calf issue since a trade from the Los Angeles Sparks sent her to Phoenix this season. The five-time All-Star is expected to miss the remainder of the season with the Mercury already eliminated from postseason contention, according to ESPN.
Team USA tabbed Citron and Iriafen, the Mystics’ young rising stars, to take their spot in Berlin. The pair of 2025 first-round picks hit the ground running in their first two seasons, each earning a pair of All-Star nods to start their careers.
Neither Citron nor Iriafen has played for the U.S. senior team at the Olympics or World Cup. Citron joined the squad for a training camp in December and represented the stars and stripes at U19 and U16 levels as a teenager.
Iriafen was a part of the team for World Cup qualifying games earlier this year, averaging 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds across five games.
Both Citron, 22, and Iriafen, 23, have continued to shine in Washington. The third and fourth picks in the 2025 draft have led the franchise to an impressive 24-16 record on the season. With their leadership, the Mystics clinched their first postseason berth since 2023.
Citron has posted team highs with 16.8 points and 4.2 assists per game. Iriafen, with teammate Shakira Austin, has developed into a force in the paint. Her 9.4 rebounds per game rank third in the league, trailing only Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese and Jessica Shepherd of the Dallas Wings.
In 2025, the Mystics were a young, fun team that lacked polish. They ended the season on a 10-game losing streak that spotlighted that the team had plenty of room to grow.
They tackled that challenge with an increased focus on pestering defense and hard-fought rebounds. Austin, Citron and Iriafen became more efficient players who have continued their strong play down the stretch of the season.
“It’s been every game we’re getting better; chemistry is getting better; understanding when it’s her turn to take advantage of a mismatch and when it’s mine,” Iriafen said of her connection with Austin and Citron last month. “But I think for myself, it’s not forcing anything and letting the game come to me.”
The World Cup stage presents a step-up for Citron and Iriafen. It represents a surge in competition before the Mystics return to playoff basketball later this year.
The eight WNBA playoff teams are already locked. Seeding questions remain, but the best teams in the league have booked their postseason tickets. The next month — with the WNBA break, World Cup action and a lone week of regular-season games — allows contenders to shape into form for the championship push.
Citron, Iriafen and the rest of Team USA — including Reese and Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark — open World Cup play on Friday against China. Group play continues against Italy on Sunday and Czechia on Monday, Sept. 7.
The World Cup ends on Sept. 13. The Mystics return to action on Sept. 17 with a game against the Chicago Sky.
Contact the author
Please read our comment policy before commenting.