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Shakira Austin and Sonia Citron named to the WNBA All-Defensive Team

The Washington Mystics made a strong defensive statement in the 2026 WNBA season, with two players earning All-Defensive honors for the first time in their careers. Center Shakira Austin was named to the First Team after dominating the low post, where she recorded 408 total rebounds and 51 blocks while also leading the league in proximity to the restricted area as the closest defender.

Her ability to control the paint and disrupt shots made her a cornerstone of the Mystics’ elite defense, which ranked among the league’s best despite featuring the youngest roster in the WNBA. Guard Sonia Citron, just 22 years old, became the first Mystics player since Ariel Atkins in 2019 to earn All-Defensive recognition, posting a defensive rating of 101.7—third-best among guards averaging 30-plus minutes per game.

Both players highlighted a unit that thrived on youth and tenacity, proving that experience isn’t always required to anchor a top-tier defense.

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