Unrivaled strengthens its roster with key WNBA figures
Unrivaled announced the addition of the WNBA’s Most Improved Player, Veronica Burton, and standout rookie Sonia Citron, in addition to 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. The Most Improved Player of the year seeks to continue their growth on this platform.Citron, who finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting, averaged 14.9 points per game, with a 47.0% field goal percentage, 44.5% from three-pointers, and 87.2% from free throws. She was named a WNBA All-Star for the first time in July. Meanwhile, in her fourth year in the WNBA, and the first with the Golden State Valkyries, Burton reached a new level in her game. The point 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 in each season), according to the league. Burton was part of the United States U23 Women’s 3×3 World Cup team in 2022, but the Unrivaled setup and its drastic differences, in particular, playing on a more condensed 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 the first season of Unrivaled, about their experience, which made her even more interested in joining the league. Burton and Citron join Paige Bueckers, Saniya Rivers, and Erica Wheeler as players participating in Unrivaled 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 on Monday.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 engaged.
Veronica Burton
