“To be the queen that she is. It’s almost like she’s been forced in this fire and she’s handled herself so well. She’s basically doing whatever we need.” That’s how Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey once described Sonia Citron. And honestly, that sums her up. Citron isn’t loud or flashy. She just shows up and gets the job done.

Even when assistant coach Michaela Mabrey first saw her play on the AAU circuit, it wasn’t about big highlights or dramatic plays. It was how smooth and steady she was. It seems to have worked in favor in being one of the most versatile players in college basketball. But Sonia’s story isn’t just about basketball. It’s about family, faith, and the people who’ve had her back every step of the way.

What is Sonia Citron’s ethnicity?

Sonia Citron’s parents, William and Yolanda Citron, are both American. But one thing that defines the family is that they are athletic. Her dad played college basketball at Bradley University, so the hoops gene clearly runs. But her older brother, Will, took a different path, playing soccer at Cornell and Virginia.

Growing up in Scarsdale, New York, sports were always part of Sonia’s life. The 6-foot guard started with soccer, but when she hit a growth spurt in eighth grade, basketball became the obvious choice. And it turned out to be the right one.

What is Sonia Citron’s nationality? Where was she born?

Sonia Citron is American, born in White Plains, New York on October 22, 2003. She grew up in Scarsdale, where her backyard and driveway were her first courts. And she had some help too in growing competitive– not just her father, it was Will who played her like a serious competition. Now, thanks to that, it was here that she went on to make it big as a high school player. 

At The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, she averaged 26.3 points and 11.2 rebounds as a senior, leading her team to a perfect season. She was also named Miss New York Basketball and won New York Gatorade Player of the Year twice.

That kind of success put her on the radar of every top college program.

But her big break hadn’t come until a sophomore AAU session. She wasn’t the player scouts came to see — that was Caroline Ducharme (now at UConn). But Sonia stole the show, dropping 30 points and shutting down Ducharme on defense. Yeah, she had turned heads. 

What religion does Sonia Citron follow?

Sonia hasn’t really talked much about her religious beliefs. But she has spoken about her faith in God, something that keeps her steady. “Knowing that no matter what happens in basketball, there are things that are much bigger than that,” she says. “If my foundation is God, then I’ll never be shaken.” Moreover, her Notre Dame teammate, Hannah Hidalgo, revealed that the team indulged in Bible Studies during the 2025 season to build chemistry. 

“We do Bible studies, with each player taking turns hosting, and every session is different depending on the person leading it. Rotating like this has really helped build our chemistry,” she had said. Besides her faith, Citron’s family has also kept her balanced— be it helping her to AAU or her father introducing a shy Soni to Olivia Miles. She also has her boyfriend, Marist Liudau, a linebacker for the Notre Dame football team, by her side now. 

The 21-year-old’s journey has been impressive, but it’s not just about the stats. It’s about the people who’ve shaped her — her dad teaching her the game, her brother pushing her to compete, and her family always showing up to support her. Sonia Citron is building a legacy.