Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen were added to the USA Basketball roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, replacing A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum.
Guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen have been added to the 2026 USA Basketball women's national team, giving the roster two more young talents as they prepare for upcoming exhibition contests.
The USA Women's National Team will compete at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, set to begin in Berlin on Sept. 4. Citron and Iriafen will replace guard Kelsey Plum and forward A'ja Wilson, who are both two-time World Cup gold medalists in the senior bracket.
Plum and Wilson will miss the World Cup due to health reasons. USA Basketball announced the addition of Citron and Iriafen on Aug. 31.
Citron will make her USA Basketball senior debut in Berlin, while Iriafen made her USA Basketball debut at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Iriafen averaged 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds through five games in her World Cup Debut. The USA opens group play against China on Sept. 4. Shortly after, the team will play Italy on Sept. 6 and Czechia on Sept 7.
The USA roster features forwards Aliyah Boston, Napheesa Collier, Angel Reese, Breanna Stewart, and Iriafen, along with guards Paige Bueckers, Caitlin Clark, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard, Jackie Young, and Citron.
Kara Lawson is Team USA's head coach, along with assistant coaches Natalie Nakase, Nate Tibbetts, Stephanie White, Jose Fernandez, and Tia Jackson.
With World Cup play approaching, the WNBA is on break until Sept. 17. The Washington Mystics clinched a playoff berth for the first time under head coach Sydney Johnson, marking the franchise's first postseason appearance in three seasons.
Washington clinched its first playoff berth since 2023 on Aug. 23. The Mystics are 24-16 and have four games remaining. The team is currently seventh in the league standings and has a chance to move up in the standings.
This season, forwards Shakira Austin, Michaela Onyenwere and Kiki Iriafen have taken their games to another level. Citron has continued to grow into a dominant two-way guard. The team also added guard-forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton after she cleared waivers following her release from the New York Liberty.
Austin (16.8), Citron (16.8), and Iriafen (15.3) are the top three scorers on the team, while the roster has contributed collectively. Washington's young roster gives the organization several players to develop for the future.
During the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Mystics selected center Lauren Betts (No. 4), forward Angela Dugalić (No. 9), forward Cotie McMahon (No. 11), guard Cassandre Prosper (No. 19), guard-forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (No. 30), and guard Rori Harmon (No. 34). All six remain with Washington.
