Sonia Citron’s rise to the WNBA has been years in the making. After starring at Notre Dame, she was selected third overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2025 WNBA Draft, marking the start of her professional career. While her talent has always stood out, Citron has often credited her family’s support for helping her reach basketball’s biggest stage.
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Who are Sonia Citron’s parents?
Sonia Citron was born to William and Yolanda Citron. Both of her parents have been heavily involved in supporting her growth as an athlete and as a person.
Her father, William Citron, played college basketball at Bradley University in Illinois. His background in college sports meant he already understood what it takes to succeed at a high level. He introduced Sonia to the game when she was young and helped teach her the fundamental skills needed to play well.
Her mother, Yolanda Citron, has been her biggest cheerleader and emotional support system. Even though Yolanda did not play college sports herself, she played a key role in building Sonia’s confidence. She helped Sonia learn how to be more aggressive on the court rather than constantly passing the ball to her teammates.
Does Sonia Citron have siblings?
Yes, Sonia comes from an athletic family and has an older brother named William “Will” Citron Jr. She also has a half-brother named Kenneth Citron.
Her older brother Will played college soccer at both Cornell University and the University of Virginia, where he served as team captain.
Growing up together in New York, Will and Sonia were both extremely competitive. Will never went easy on his younger sister during practices, which helped her build a tough mindset early in life. Her half-brother Kenneth was also a college athlete, playing baseball at Princeton University.
What is Sonia Citron’s family background?
Sonia Citron was born in White Plains, New York, and grew up in nearby Scarsdale, where she attended The Ursuline School. There, she became one of the most decorated players in program history, finishing with 2,023 career points and leading the Koalas to a 26-0 record and the 2022 New York State Class AA championship in her senior season.
On her mother’s side, Citron’s family has roots in Cape Verde. Her maternal grandparents were born there before relocating to Senegal, where her mother, Yolanda Citron, spent much of her childhood before moving to the United States.
As a result, Sonia has said her upbringing was shaped by both Cape Verdean and Senegalese culture, from traditional music to home-cooked Senegalese dishes enjoyed during family gatherings and holidays.
How did Sonia Citron’s family influence her basketball career?
Sonia began playing basketball in second grade after initially spending time on the soccer field. Her father, Bill Citron, recognized her natural athletic ability and nudged her toward basketball, drawing from his own experience playing at Bradley University.
Reflecting on those early years, Sonia once said, “My dad played basketball, so he kind of got me into it.” His guidance laid the foundation for her love of the game.
Her mother, Yolanda, noticed that Sonia was naturally unselfish on the court, often looking to set up teammates even when she had an open shot. She encouraged Sonia’s high school coaches to push her to be more aggressive as a scorer, helping her develop the confidence to take over games.
With her parents supporting her at every step and her brother Will keeping her competitive at home, Sonia grew into one of New York’s top high school players, earning Gatorade New York Player of the Year honors before starring at Notre Dame and eventually becoming the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.