WNBA players are still dealing with uncertainty about what will happen with the 2026 season. This situation stems from the fact that the players and the league have not yet reached a solid agreement regarding several key issues. Because of that, and for the past year, the Unrivaled tournament has taken place during the offseason.
Although this competition allows players to earn additional income while the WNBA is not active, it also carries certain risks. Participating in another competitive league can expose players to injuries that could become serious if not handled properly.
This is the case for Aliyah Boston and Sonia Citron, who suffered health issues during the tournament and will now be forced to miss an extremely important competition for the United States women’s basketball.
Aliyah Boston and Sonia Citron will not play in the World Cup qualifier
The roster that the United States had been assembling to compete for a spot in the qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, which will determine places for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, was shaping up to be an impressive powerhouse.
However, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, it was confirmed that two key players from the Stars and Stripes lineup will be unable to participate due to injuries.
The team officially announced that they will not be available to compete for a place in the world championship. As a result, replacements were quickly revealed in order to keep the team competitive and ready for the upcoming challenge.
- Monique Billings
- Rae Burrell
They will be responsible for joining Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese to showcase their talent on the courts of the island and help the United States secure its ticket to the world tournament.
Aliyah Boston’s injury in Unrivaled
Aliyah Boston entered the WNBA as the first overall pick in the 2023 draft after an outstanding collegiate career at South Carolina. During this offseason, she had been competing for Phantom BC in the Unrivaled league.
However, on Sunday, March 1, 2026, she was forced to step away from the team after it was reported that she suffered an injury to her right lower extremity. That development now confirms that she will also miss the call-up to represent the national team.
Boston had been delivering strong performances throughout the season in Unrivaled before the injury interrupted her campaign.
Her numbers in the league during this stretch were as follows:
- 18.9 points
- 2.1 blocks
Citron’s situation is quite similar. She suffered the same type of problem as Aliyah, which led to her absence not only from her Unrivaled team but also from the national squad.
Faced with this scenario, head coach Kara Lawson had to act quickly to find suitable replacements who could maintain the team’s level of competitiveness.
Despite these setbacks, the United States roster remains one of the most talented in the tournament. With stars such as Clark and Reese still leading the lineup, expectations remain high that the team will secure its place in the upcoming world championship competition.
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