Mystics Rookies Outplay No. 1 WNBA Pick in Scoring Feat
Mystics Rookies Outplay No. 1 WNBA Pick in Scoring Feat originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
On Sunday, the Washington Mystics had a 104-67 victory over the Connecticut Sun, snapping their three-game losing streak. It was their first win of the Commissioner's Cup, led by Brittney Sykes. The veteran guard had 28 points and six assists on 14-for-15 shooting from the free throw line.
Advertisement
Before their regular-season contest, the New York Liberty handed the Mystics their sixth loss of the 2025 WNBA campaign. The rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, did their best to try and beat the defending champions. Citron had 13 points and Iriafen added 17.
Against the Sun, they continued to score like veteran players. The former Notre Dame player had 11 points in 27 minutes of action. The rookie forward, meanwhile, finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
Atlanta Dream forward Nia Coffey dribbles the ball as Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen and Mystics guard Sonia Citron.Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Following the contest, the rookie duo logged their 10th game of double-digit scoring, according to StatMuse. They each have more games where they had at least 10 or more points. Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick of this year's draft, had six games of double-digit scoring.
Citron is averaging 14 points and 4.4 rebounds on 40.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Her teammate, Iriafen, is averaging 14.9 points and 9.9 rebounds. The Dallas Wings' rookie has appeared in six games, averaging 14.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
Advertisement
The Mystics' rookies have caught the attention of the masses with their strong start. According to Candace Pedraza, the team's success has a lot to do with the youngsters.
"The duo has been tearing teams apart in transition, with Citron an ever-looming scoring threat from three point range and with Iriafen consistently giving opposing teams' bigs their 'welcome to the 2025 rookie class' moments," Pedraza wrote.
They're among the favorites to win the 2025 Rookie of the Year award. As long as they remain consistent, Citron and Iriafen have shown that they belong in the league.
Related: WNBA Gives Shoutout to Mystics Star Following 1st Commissioner's Cup Victory
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
27 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Bills RB James Cook present for team's mandatory practice amid contract concerns, AP source says
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills running back James Cook put aside his contract concerns — and avoided the potential of being fined — by attending the start of the team's three-day mandatory series of practices on Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because coach Sean McDermott isn't scheduled to address the media until later in the day. The Athletic first reported Cook was present at the team's facility. Cook's attendance comes after he went public with his desire to negotiate a contract extension while entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. He was the NFL's co-leader in rushing touchdowns with 16 last year, and skipped Buffalo's six previous spring practices and month-long workout sessions, all of which were voluntary. Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia. His older brother is Dalvin Cook, best known for his six seasons in Minnesota and who spent last year appearing in two games with Dallas. In February, Cook informally began his public negotiation by posting the message '15 mill year' on his Instagram account. A month later, during an appearance on a podcast with former NFLers Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, Cook said, 'Pay me the big bucks,' and adding, 'I want to get what I asked for.' He also made the case for his fellow NFL running backs being underpaid in saying: 'I feel like we deserve to get paid,' and asking, 'How (are) we not valuable?' In April, Cook listed his Buffalo-area home as being for sale. General manager Brandon Beane has on several occasions noted how much he respects and values Cook, while also acknowledging the two sides aren't on the same page in contract talks. In late March, Beane specifically referenced Cook in announcing he was cutting off contract discussions to focus on the draft. 'Just because we don't have James signed today doesn't mean next year we still can't get him done before he gets to free agency,' Beane said. 'We want him to have success. We're rooting for him ... But we are where we are, and there's no hard feelings from us.' Cook proved to be the odd-man out in Beane's offseason binge of signing core players to multiyear contract extensions. The group was made up of quarterback Josh Allen, receiver Khalil Shakir, edge rusher Greg Rousseau, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford. Cook's 16 touchdowns rushing matched a Bills single-season record set by O.J. Simpson, and he also scored two more receiving. He was part of a Bills offense that finished second in the NFL in averaging more than 30 points per outing. After scoring just two touchdowns rushing in each of his first two seasons, Cook's jump in production coincided with Joe Brady's first full season as Buffalo's offensive coordinator, and the team's initiative to have Allen rush less to reduce exposing him to injury. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Commanders' 'Best Offseason Move' Low-Hanging Fruit
Commanders' 'Best Offseason Move' Low-Hanging Fruit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders weren't the squashbuckling team that added a host of free agents and had over 10 draft picks this offseason, but that doesn't mean it wasn't productive. Advertisement In fact, one could argue that this offseason was better than the one 12 months ago. Granted, that is in the eye of the beholder, and the roster is in a different spot than a year ago. But with only two big moves made, with Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil traded for to fill two key offensive positions, finding Washington's best piece of business isn't too hard. CBS Sports has landed on the trade for Samuel. "Is Samuel a durable game-breaker going on 30? Maybe," CBS Sports wrote. "Maybe not. Still, Washington added the former 49ers star for a single fifth-round pick. That's a potential steal given his fit as a rugged multipurpose weapon opposite the field-stretching Terry McLaurin. It's just nice to see this team isn't sitting on its hands with the dynamic Jayden Daniels under center." Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuels (L) and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (R) wave to the crowd from courts wide during the game between the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream at CareFirst Arena. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images What Deebo could do for an offense that was equally as dangerous running or passing the football last season is tantalizing. Advertisement As a runner, Samuel can be the power-packed weapon who can pick up tough yards, but also break the odd 20+ yard run. As a receiver, his YAC ability is something that causes defensive coordinators to have sleepless nights due to his tough running style and ability to stand up in tackles and fall forward for extra yards, a notable feature. Yes, Tunsil will protect Daniels better than Brandon Coleman, but Deebo will be where all the eyes are in 2025 as he could be the lightning rod that propels this team to Super Bowl glory. Related: Commanders Predicted To Trade Terry McLaurin To AFC South Team Related: Commanders' Dan Quinn Congratulates Fellow D.C. Award Winner This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
38 minutes ago
- New York Times
Sauce Gardner present at Jets minicamp while waiting on new contract: Sources
Sauce Gardner is present at the start of the New York Jets' mandatory OTAs, according to league sources. While stars like T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh), Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati) and Terry McLaurin (Washington) are expected to be absent for the start of minicamps, Gardner and Garrett Wilson, both still on their rookie contracts though now eligible for extensions, continue to show up as the Jets enjoy what has so far been a drama-free spring. Advertisement Both Gardner and Wilson have stated publicly that they want to be Jets 'for life' — while both are also seeking contracts that would make them among the highest-paid at their positions. As for Gardner, specifically: He wants to be the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, which would place him around $30 million per season. He certainly has a case to get it considering he was an All-Pro in each of his first two seasons. He was solid in 2024 too, even if it could be argued it was a down season by his standards. Gardner, who turns 25 in August, is a crucial piece of the Jets' new-look defense with head coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, one that should deploy more man coverage than it did under Robert Saleh. It should also feature Gardner lining up across the other team's best wide receiver most of the time. As for Wilson: He's less likely to pursue a contract as the highest-paid receiver. That would reach Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson territory, and he's not quite in their class yet. However, he's produced at a remarkable level through three seasons despite turmoil at quarterback and offensive coordinator. Wilson, who turns 25 in July, recorded three straight 1,000-yard seasons and is in line to get the ball a lot in 2025 while playing his college quarterback (Justin Fields) and in an offense without a clearly defined second option in the passing game. Wilson's frustration was a topic of conversation as the Jets bumbled their way to a five-win season last year. If the franchise continued to struggle, he might have looked to move from the organization. But Wilson has been a fan of the Jets' offseason moves — both in terms of coaching and quarterback — and a couple weeks ago stated his desire to be here long-term. It hasn't hurt that he's shown up for every offseason workout and OTA practice. Gardner missed at least one voluntary practice but has mostly been present this offseason too. Advertisement 'I want to be a part of something special,' Wilson said a couple weeks ago during OTAs. 'I don't think that a whole bunch of individuals makes something special. As a group aspect, this is a group thing and I wanted to get in and know my teammates. I want to get in to know my coaches, even. This is a new staff. Learn the material that they're putting out and not be the guy that's behind when this thing is mandatory (in minicamp in June), right? There's a way you go about business when you love what you do.'
