The Overlooked Catalyst of Notre Dame’s Championship Dream » Winsidr

In the charged atmosphere of college basketball, where star power often dominates, Sonia Citron has carved a quiet but essential place for herself. Her name may not attract the same attention as her teammates, like Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles. Still, her unassuming brilliance often serves as the foundation for Notre Dame’s pursuit of greatness. 

Miles and Hidalgo grab headlines with their dazzling playmaking and electrifying performances, but Citron’s all-around impact has been the glue that binds this dynamic trio. Indeed, the path to a potential national championship for the Fighting Irish runs through Citron’s steadfast contributions, even as she perhaps remains the overlooked third wheel in the formidable trio of “Guard U.”

Citron’s story is, in many ways, a tale of quiet persistence—a player whose skill set is deep and wide but often takes a backseat to the flashier, more immediately visible talents around her. Since entering the college ranks, Citron has been a masterclass of hard work to improve her game each season. 

“Looking back at it every single year, [the coaches and I]try to pinpoint what I wanted to get better at, what I needed to get better at,” Citron explained. “I think the most growth I’ve seen is from the mental side of things. Because when you think about it, basketball really is a very mental game, and just getting smarter and knowing when to do what, once you use your body, when to pass it, etc.”

All her hard work has helped Citron thrive in this very role as the understated third member of Notre Dame’s most potent offensive weapon. Even when not dominating the box score, her presence on the floor provides the structure and balance the team desperately needs.

With her combination of skill and versatility, Citron consistently does the heavy lifting that so often goes unnoticed. Her 14.5 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and efficient shooting—37.7% from three—are impressive on their own, but it’s the way she complements her teammates that truly elevates the team. As Hidalgo and Miles orchestrate the flow of the offense, it is Citron who provides the balance on both ends, locking down opposing players on defense, stepping up as a secondary scoring option, and maintaining the composure that allows Notre Dame to function like a well-oiled machine.

“I pride myself on defense,” Citron says with understated confidence, and that focus has often been the difference in tight games. In a world where scoring steals the spotlight, Citron’s ability to shut down an opposing team’s best player, whether in a one-on-one scenario or as part of a team defense, shifts the course of the game. As she put it aptly. “I’d rather score fewer points but lock up the person I’m guarding.”

Her role is not one of constant recognition, but without it, the Notre Dame engine falters. Citron has built a career in making small plays that hold everything together: timely defensive stops, key rebounds, or smart passes in transition. In tandem with Hidalgo and Miles, she has forged a symbiotic relationship that has made the Irish one of the most dangerous teams in the country. Together, the trio embodies a seamless fusion of offense and defense, of star power and unsung consistency, pushing Notre Dame ever closer to the elusive national title.

While a relentless pursuit of growth has marked Citron’s career—whether in her skills or in her ability to function within the team’s larger framework—it is the quiet, almost familial chemistry between her and her teammates that has propelled Notre Dame to the cusp of greatness. In particular, Citron and Miles share a bond beyond the basketball court. From their early days in New York’s Rose Classic All-Star Game, Citron’s father encouraged his shy, reserved daughter to introduce herself to Miles, forging a lasting partnership. “I have so many good things, nothing but good things to say about [Miles],” Citron says. “Ever since [the All-Star Game], we kind of clicked, and we loved playing with each other.”

Their connection is palpable, a perfect complement to the electrifying brilliance of Hidalgo’s playmaking. In this rarefied air, it is Citron’s unheralded contributions—her ability to make the winning plays without seeking the limelight—that has made this trio such a formidable force. As Hidalgo and Miles dazzle with their highlight-reel performances, Citron quietly fulfills the duties that make the big moments possible.

Yet, it is not just her basketball acumen that sets Citron apart. The same humility and discipline that inform her game have shaped her off the court, where her unwavering faith in God is her rock. “Knowing that no matter what happens in basketball, there are things that are much bigger than that,” she says, offering a perspective that keeps her grounded despite the competition. “If my foundation is God, then I’ll never be shaken.”

With her eyes firmly set on the national championship, Citron’s drive is not rooted in individual accolades. Her goal is singular: to win the national championship with her teammates. 

“I would say winning the national championship. Honestly, I think that’s the only thing on my mind,” she confesses. “I just want to win the national championship so badly,” she says.

As the season unfolds and Notre Dame’s championship aspirations grow more palpable, it’s important to recognize that Citron’s value transcends what can be quantified by a box score. She is the catalyst that propels the Irish forward, often working in the shadows but always essential to the team’s success. In a program full of stars, Citron’s ability to embrace her role—whether as a defensive specialist, a reliable second scorer, or a steadying presence for her teammates—may be the difference between a deep tournament run and a national championship.

If Notre Dame wins it all this season, Citron’s fingerprints will be all over it, not as an afterthought, but as the quiet yet undeniable person and player force that made the dream a reality. 

“I just think, going to Notre Dame for these four years has helped me be like a better basketball player. But ultimately, like a better person.” 

All stats as of January 11. Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of Her Hoop Stats.