Unrivaled Bolsters Roster with WNBA Stars
The Unrivaled team has announced the addition of the WNBA’s Most Improved Player, Veronica Burton, and standout rookie Sonia Citron, along with four other returning players for the 2026 season. Since its launch in January, Unrivaled has established itself as a development hub for players looking to advance their professional careers. Burton, after being named Most Improved Player, will seek to continue her growth in this environment.Citron, who finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting, averaged 14.9 points per game on 47.0% field goal shooting, 44.5% from three-pointers, and 87.2% from the free-throw line. In addition, she was selected for the WNBA All-Star for the first time in July. Burton, in her fourth year in the WNBA and her first with the Golden State Valkyries, reached a new level in her game. The guard averaged career highs of 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 44 games, becoming the first player in WNBA history to increase her averages by at least five points, two rebounds and two assists per game from one season to the next (with a minimum of 30 games played each season), according to league data. Burton was part of the U.S. 3×3 Women’s World Cup U23 team in 2022, but the setup and drastic differences of Unrivaled, especially playing on a reduced court, intrigued her.It’s a great opportunity. Many of the best players in the league compete in Unrivaled, so any chance to compete against the best is where I want to be. I’m excited to be a part of this and grateful for it.
Veronica Burton
During the WNBA season, Burton consulted with her Golden State teammates, Kate Martin and Tiffany Hayes, who played in Unrivaled’s first season, about their experience, which further increased her interest in joining the league. Burton and Citron join Paige Bueckers, Saniya Rivers, and Erica Wheeler as new Unrivaled players. Breanna Stewart, one of the co-founders of Unrivaled, Azura Stevens, Lexie Hull, and Jackie Young were also announced as returning players on Monday.The super-fast pace challenges people to be aggressive on both sides of the court, and you really can’t hide there. You have to be involved and committed.
Veronica Burton
