The Washington Mystics got off to a strong start at the 2025 WNBA Draft, using their trio of top-10 picks to reset the franchise’s foundation. With Sonia Citron (No. 3), Kiki Iriafen (No. 4), and Georgia Amoore (No. 6), the Mystics didn’t just add talent, they set the tone for a youth-driven identity that aligns with the vision of their new front office and coaching staff.
And now, one week removed from draft night, it’s clear that Michael Winger, head of Monumental Basketball, is marrying the Wizards approach with the Mystics: building through the draft, stacking future draft capital, and salvaging existing pieces that meld well with the future of the franchise.
Let’s analyze what each first round draft pick brings to the current roster.
Citron: Killer Mentality
Sonia Citron offers a quiet fire and relentless two-way energy that immediately makes her a cultural cornerstone. A versatile guard/forward out of Notre Dame, Citron is known for her off-ball movement and basketball IQ. These traits impressed the Mystics and her new teammate Georgia Amoore, who called her “a stone cold killer” on defense.
“I think it’s a huge honor to be one of the first picks of the new leadership team,” Citron told Double Take Sports. “I want to prove them right and contribute in whatever way I can to help this team win.”
With the Mystics shifting toward a faster pace and more fluid offense under new head coach Sydney Johnson, Citron’s ability to read the floor and thrive in transition will be a critical asset.
Iriafen: Confident Adaptability
After standout seasons at both Stanford and USC, Kiki Iriafen arrives in D.C. as one of the most well-rounded and adaptable frontcourt prospects in this year’s class. Her experience navigating two elite programs in different systems not only sharpened her skills but also prepared her to thrive in the pros.
“I’ve been used to uncomfortable,” she said. “Taking all the adversity, all the growth I had to take in this year, I think will help translate in the W. I’ve learned to hone in on the little details—defense, leadership, pick-and-rolls—and now I’m ready to earn my place.”
Iriafen also spoke about the Mystics’ up-tempo plans under new head coach Sydney Johnson. “Coach talked about wanting to score in the first eight seconds of the shot clock, and that’s where I thrive. I’m going to run that floor,” she said.
Equally important, Iriafen understands the moment. Joining a frontcourt that already includes Aaliyah Edwards, Shakira Austin, and veteran Stef Dolson, she knows this is a chance to compete, grow, and help shape a culture with purpose.
“There’s a vision here, and I’m excited to be one of the first few to help build it,” she said.
Amoore: The Engine
And then there’s Georgia Amoore, the Aussie point guard with a brilliant basketball mind and a contagious personality that lights up any locker room. After three standout seasons at Virginia Tech, Amoore transferred to Kentucky for her final collegiate year, where she continued to sharpen her leadership and playmaking skills in the SEC. She embraces her identity as a traditional point guard with an energetic flair.
“My IQ and my ability to connect teammates is something I take pride in,” she said. “That’s how I compete—through how I think the game.”
Her connection with Citron dates back to their ACC matchups, and her lifelong relationship with fellow Aussie Jade Melbourne will only help accelerate chemistry within the Mystics’ backcourt. For a team undergoing a reset, Amoore’s leadership and intentionality are invaluable.
“There’s so much youth here, and that builds hunger,” she said. “I’m ready to learn, to grow, and to compete right away.”
The Bigger Picture
While rookies are never guaranteed immediate results, this draft class is a fresh start philosophical shift. The Mystics’ leadership made clear that hey are betting on players with high ceilings, strong work ethics, and the adaptability to thrive in a modern WNBA system.
Mystics General Manager Jamila Wideman echoed that excitement:
“I think there’s going to be just really an explosive dynamism to this group. We’ve got in each of them just… a real motor. I think they walk in the door and you can just feel their energy instantly. Saw that with Kiki when she was at Stanford, saw it at USC. Obviously with Georgia Amoore, wherever she goes she’s just a bundle of energy and manages to pick the level of the game up wherever she is. And I think Sonia Citron just does everything—and is happy to do everything quietly. We think she’s pretty loud in the way that she moves, and the versatility and the range in her game is really exciting.”
The draft was step one in Washington’s rebuilding plan, now they have to see how it all comes together on the basketball court.