Unrivaled strengthens its roster with WNBA stars
Unrivaled 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 boost their careers. Burton, who was named Most Improved Player, will seek to continue her growth in this league.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. She was named a WNBA All-Star for the first time in July. In her fourth year in the WNBA, and her first with the Golden State Valkyries, Burton elevated 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 (minimum 30 games played in each season). Burton was part of the U.S. U23 3×3 Women’s World Cup team in 2022, but the structure of Unrivaled and its drastic differences, especially playing on a more compact court, intrigued her.It’s a great opportunity. Many of the best players in the league compete in Unrivaled, so any opportunity 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 increased her interest in joining the league. Burton and Citron join Paige Bueckers, Saniya Rivers, and Erica Wheeler as Unrivaled players for the first time. Breanna Stewart, one of the co-founders of Unrivaled, Azura Stevens, Lexie Hull, and Jackie Young were also announced as returning players.The super-fast pace challenges people to be aggressive on both sides of the ball, and you really can’t hide there. You have to be involved and committed.
Veronica Burton
