When Paige Bueckers steps into any gym, attention follows, but as the next international window approaches, it’s the quieter perspective of Sonia Citron that offers the clearest glimpse into how Team USA‘s future backcourt may take shape.

With FIBA World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Citron‘s recent reflections revealed why her growing bond with Bueckers feels less manufactured and more foundational.

The two 2025 WNBA Draft picks have spent the offseason competing in Unrivaled Basketball, an environment designed to sharpen games but often just as revealing off the court.

After a recent game, Citron spoke openly about the dynamic she’s developed with Paige Bueckers, framing it as something that has grown naturally rather than through shared expectations.

“Paige is an amazing person,” Citron said. “Unrivaled has brought us closer. We’ve been hanging out and really getting to know each other.”

She paused, then added with a smile, “She’s the extrovert that brings me out of the house. She’s just fun to be around. We push each other, but we’re also rooting for each other.”

That balance of competition and support has become a defining trait of their relationship, one that could matter as much as any stat line when the United States evaluates new combinations for international play.

Different paths, same momentum

Bueckers arrived in the league with generational expectations and delivered immediately, earning Rookie of the Year honors and an All-WNBA Second Team selection with the Dallas Wings. Sonia Citron, by contrast, carved out her reputation with efficiency and poise.

As a rookie with the Washington Mystics, she shot 44.5 percent from three and quickly became a focal point of the offense, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team alongside Bueckers and several other top newcomers.

Their shared success has naturally put them on USA Basketball‘s radar. While the United States has already secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA World Cup in Berlin, upcoming games will serve as a testing ground rather than a formality.

Coaches will be looking closely at chemistry, decision making, and adaptability, areas where Citron believes their connection can translate.

Bueckers has echoed that sentiment, describing her relationship with Citron as one of the most genuine she has formed during the Unrivaled season, even outside her immediate team circle.

 

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Learning from veterans, shaping what comes next

Citron‘s offseason growth hasn’t been limited to one partnership. She has pointed to Brittney Sykes as a veteran whose relentless work ethic left a lasting impression during their brief overlap in Washington.

That influence showed recently when Citron rebounded from a rough first half to finish with 17 points on efficient shooting, a reminder of how quickly she has adapted to the professional grind.

The Citron–Bueckers pairing has already drawn quiet comparisons to past USA Basketball friendships that thrived on mutual respect and competitive fire. It’s far too early to draw parallels in terms of legacy, but the underlying principles are familiar.

For Citron, the moment hasn’t been lost in the spotlight. From college standout to WNBA starter to international contender, the pace has been relentless. Yet her words suggest a grounding truth: elite teams are built as much on trust as talent.

As Team USA looks ahead, the connection forming between Sonia Citron and Paige Bueckers may not dominate headlines just yet. But it’s the kind of relationship that tends to matter most when the games start to count.