Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey has publicly endorsed former player Sonia Citron as a leading candidate to succeed Caitlin Clark in the Caitlin Clark rookie of the year competition this season. Ivey highlighted Citron’s performance during a recent matchup between the Washington Mystics and the Phoenix Mercury by sharing a video of Citron’s highlights on her Instagram story.

The WNBA also amplified Citron’s strong showing by posting clips of her impactful defense against Phoenix on their official Instagram account, accompanied by a caption celebrating her efforts. This post has garnered significant attention, earning over 1,300 likes so far.

“Citron going to work.”

“ROTY.”

—Niele Ivey, Notre Dame coach

Sonia Citron’s Performance Against Phoenix Mercury

In the game against the Phoenix Mercury, Sonia Citron stood out as one of three Washington Mystics players scoring in double digits. She led her team with 14 points over 33 minutes, converting 5 of 8 field goal attempts, including 2 of 4 from beyond the arc. Additionally, Citron was flawless from the free-throw line, making both attempts, and contributed four assists and one steal.

Despite her strong individual showing, the Mystics fell short, losing 68-62. Yet, Citron’s consistency this season is notable, as she has scored in double digits in each of her first five WNBA games and holds an average of 15.4 points per match.

Though Citron’s rookie campaign is impressive, she faces stiff competition for the Rookie of the Year title. Other contenders include Dallas guard Paige Bueckers and her Washington teammate Kiki Iriafen.

Sonia Citron’s NCAA Tournament Experience Under Niele Ivey

Citron’s transition from college to professional basketball happened swiftly, following her standout role in this year’s March Madness with Notre Dame. Playing under Ivey’s guidance, she helped the Fighting Irish reach the Sweet 16 in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, averaging 20 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2 steals in the first two rounds, which included victories over Stephen F. Austin and Michigan.

The team’s tournament run ended in the Sweet 16 with a 71-62 loss to No. 2 seed TCU. In that game, Citron struggled offensively, scoring only nine points on 4-of-15 shooting, missing all three of her attempts from beyond the three-point line, and turning the ball over three times.

This marked the conclusion of her collegiate career under coach Niele Ivey.

Implications for the Rookie of the Year Race

The endorsement from a respected coach like Niele Ivey adds momentum to Sonia Citron’s bid for the Rookie of the Year award in a competitive field. Citron’s early games in the WNBA have shown both scoring ability and versatility, helping position her as a potential frontrunner to fill the void left by Caitlin Clark. However, with other talented rookies in the mix, the award remains highly contested as the season progresses.