The Washington Mystics are sending two players to the WNBA All-Star Game for the first time since 2021.
Guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen will represent the District during the festivities in Indianapolis on July 19.
Citron and Iriafen are just the second pair of rookie teammates named All-Stars in their debut season. Three rookies — Taj McWilliams-Franklin, Shannon Johnson and Nykesha Sales — represented the Orlando Miracle at the inaugural All-Star Game in 1999.
Washington’s duo has started all 18 games this season, leading the rebuilding Mystics to an 8-10 record that places them on the edge of the playoff bubble.
Citron, the No. 3 overall pick this year, is averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, ranking second in scoring among rookies. She has posted at least 10 points in 16 games, leading all rookies.
Iriafen, the fourth pick in this year’s draft, has been a force on the glass. She ranks fourth in the WNBA with 8.3 rebounds per game, adding 12.3 points while shooting 45.9% from the field. The USC product became the first Mystic named the WNBA’s Rookie of the Month in May.
“They’re not rookies, in a sense,” Mystics center Shakira Austin said after a practice last week. “They’re definitely not playing like it.”
All-Star captains Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx will draft their squads for this year’s game.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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