The Washington Mystics have received a major defensive honor for the 2026 WNBA season, with two players named to the league’s All-Defensive Teams. Center Shakira Austin earned First Team honors, while guard Sonia Citron was selected to the Second Team. The WNBA announced these selections on Oct. 15, 2026. These marks represent the first All-Defensive recognitions for both Austin and Citron.
Austin posted career highs in rebounds and blocks during her fifth season, averaging 9.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. She totaled 408 rebounds, including 327 defensive rebounds, and 53 blocks. Austin ranked second in the league in defensive rebounds per game and fourth in total rebounds per game.
Shakira Austin Earns First-Team Recognition
Austin led all centers averaging at least 25 minutes per game in defensive rating and defensive win shares, according to WNBA statistics. She set franchise records for total rebounds and defensive rebounds in a single season for the Mystics.
She is the fifth player in Washington Mystics history to earn WNBA All-Defensive First Team honors. Her 53 blocks ranked eighth in the league and brought her career total to 154, according to the Washington Mystics’ official announcement.
Sonia Citron Makes the Second Team
Citron contributed 151 rebounds, 47 steals, and 25 blocks in 40 games during her sophomore season. Among guards averaging at least 30 minutes per game, she ranked fourth in defensive win shares, per WNBA Stats.
Citron is the first 22-year-old Mystics player to receive All-Defensive honors since Ariel Atkins in 2019. She is the fifth player in franchise history to be named to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Together, Austin and Citron are the seventh and eighth Mystics players ever to be named to an All-Defensive Team. Their selections mark the third time multiple Mystics players have earned WNBA All-Defensive honors in the same season (also in 2019 and 2022).
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Washington receives two All-Defensive selections from the 2026 season. Austin’s rebounding, blocks, and defensive metrics supported her First Team selection, while Citron added a Second Team honor after recording 47 steals and 25 blocks in 40 appearances.
Source: Original report
