---
title: "Washington Mystics’ Austin, Citron Earn All-Defensive Nods"
url: https://www.herewashingtondc.com/2026/10/16/washington-mystics-austin-citron-wnba-all-defensive/
date: 2026-10-16T05:37:03-04:00
modified: 2026-10-16T05:37:03-04:00
author: "Victoria Curry"
categories: ["Sports"]
site: "HERE Washington DC"
attribution: "HERE Washington DC"
---

# Washington Mystics’ Austin, Citron Earn All-Defensive Nods

*Source: [HERE Washington DC](https://www.herewashingtondc.com/2026/10/16/washington-mystics-austin-citron-wnba-all-defensive/) — October 16, 2026 by Victoria Curry*

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two members of the Washington Mystics picked up the first All-Defensive honors of their careers Thursday, as the WNBA put center Shakira Austin on its First Team and guard Sonia Citron on the Second Team.

Austin anchored the paint all season. Her nightly averages, 9.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, were career bests, and she pulled down 408 boards in all, 327 of them on the defensive end, both new franchise single-season marks.

Her 53 blocks were the second most in a season in team history, and she finished the year as one of the league’s busiest rim protectors.

Citron, in her second pro season, made her second straight All-Star team and finished with 47 steals and 25 blocks across 40 games. At 22, she is the first Mystics player that young to make an All-Defensive team since Ariel Atkins in 2019.

Her defensive rating of 101.7 ranked third among guards who played at least 30 minutes a night, and the recognition comes for a team that carried the youngest roster in the league.