Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers has officially been named the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year, capping off a stellar first season in the league. The announcement, made by the WNBA, confirms what many expected after Bueckers' outstanding performance throughout the year. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert even surprised Bueckers with the news before her appearance on "The Jennifer Hudson Show".
A Landslide Victory
Bueckers' victory was decisive, garnering 70 out of 72 possible votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Sonia Citron of the Washington Mystics received the remaining two votes. This win marks the first time a Dallas Wings player has received the Rookie of the Year award since Allisha Gray in 2017.
Record-Breaking Rookie Season
Starting in all 36 games, Bueckers averaged an impressive 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. She led all rookies in total points (692), points per game, total assists (194), and assists per game. Bueckers' performance also placed her among the top rookies of all time, finishing third in both total rookie points and total rookie assists.
On August 20th, Bueckers etched her name in the WNBA record books by scoring a rookie single-game record of 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks. She achieved this while shooting an astounding 81% from the field, becoming the first player in WNBA history to score 40+ points with such high shooting efficiency in a single game.
College Dominance to WNBA Stardom
Bueckers' success in the WNBA follows a decorated college career at UConn, where she won a National Championship in 2024. She was a three-time unanimous first-team All-American and won the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 2021. Her transition to the WNBA has been seamless, proving her status as a true basketball superstar.
Looking Ahead
With the Rookie of the Year award under her belt, Bueckers' next goal is undoubtedly a WNBA championship. Her impact on the Dallas Wings has been immediate and significant, and fans are eager to see what she accomplishes in the years to come. She was also voted as a starter for Team Collier for the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game and named Kia WNBA Rookie of the Month three times consecutively (June, July, August).
Bueckers was the only player this season ranked in the top 10 in points, assists, and steals per game. She became the first rookie in WNBA history to average at least 15.0 points and 5.0 assists and shoot 45.0 percent or higher from the field.