The Washington Mystics had a great showing throughout the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, with players turning in impressive performances across each of their respective events.
The Mystics had three of their players participate in the weekend, with two of them competing in the main game. Second-year standouts Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen each earned All-Star selections. This marked Citron’s second consecutive All-Star appearance after earning the honor during her rookie campaign, while Iriafen made her All-Star debut.
Meanwhile, on Friday, veteran Shakira Austin celebrated her 26th birthday by participating in—and winning—the Kia Shooting Stars Contest.
From taking home the Shooting Stars trophy on Friday night to having two of the league’s brightest young stars play in Saturday’s All-Star Game, it was a weekend that showcased the Mystics’ progress through their rebuild.
Team Washington Catches Fire in the Shooting Stars Contest
Austin teamed up with Mystics legend Elena Delle Donne and five-star St. James Academy standout Jezelle “GG” Banks to represent Team Washington in the event.
Banks is no stranger to big events, as she’s coming off a gold-medal victory with Team USA in FIBA’s U18 tournament this past June.
The competition featured four teams, each consisting of one current WNBA player, one retired WNBA player, and one elite high school prospect. Teams were given 70 seconds in each round to score as many points as possible from designated spots across the floor.
Team Washington saved its best performance for last, defeating Team Seattle in the championship round by scoring 31 points to capture the title.
While Austin and Delle Donne brought veteran experience to the squad, it was Banks who stole the show, knocking down the most shots for Team Washington.
Banks’ impressive weekend didn’t end there. Following the Shooting Stars Contest, the St. James Academy star traveled to compete with Team Durant in the Nike Nationals Tournament. She continued to shine by recording 25 points and seven assists in her latest game, further cementing her status as one of the premier players in the Class of 2027.
Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen Excel in Saturday’s Game
Citron suited up for Team Coop and delivered one of the most efficient performances of the afternoon. She made all three of her field-goal attempts, finishing with eight points while showcasing her ability to knock down threes.
On the opposite side, Iriafen represented Team Spoon and displayed the versatility that has made her one of the league’s most exciting young forwards. She finished with 10 points on eight shot attempts while securing six rebounds.
For a Mystics organization that has emphasized youth while remaining competitive, the weekend served as another reminder that the future has already arrived.
With Austin providing a veteran presence and Citron and Iriafen continuing to establish themselves among the WNBA’s rising stars, the Mystics head into the final stretch of the season with momentum.
The team currently sits eighth in the WNBA standings at 14-12 and remains firmly in the playoff picture. The Mystics are looking to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023, when Washington was eliminated in the first round by the New York Liberty.
The team returns to action on Tuesday, July 28, in a contest against the Connecticut Sun.
