Paige Bueckers Crowned WNBA Rookie of the Year After Historic Season with Dallas Wings
Paige Bueckers, the standout guard for the Dallas Wings, has been named the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year. This prestigious award caps off a remarkable first season for Bueckers, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft after leading UConn to a national championship.
Rookie of the Year Honors
The WNBA announced on Tuesday that Bueckers received a near-unanimous vote, securing 70 of 72 first-place votes from a media panel. Sonia Citron of the Washington Mystics received the other two votes. Bueckers becomes the seventh former UConn player to win the award, joining a distinguished list of alums.
During her rookie campaign, Bueckers started in all 36 games for the Wings, averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. Her impressive shooting percentages of 47.4% from the field and 88.8% from the free throw line further solidified her impact. She led all WNBA rookies in total points (692), points per game, total assists (194), and assists per game.
Record-Breaking Performances
One of the highlights of Bueckers' season was her 44-point performance against the Los Angeles Sparks on August 20. This incredible scoring display set a new WNBA single-game rookie record. She also became the first player in WNBA history to score 40 or more points while shooting at least 80% from the field in a game, making 17 of 21 shots.
Despite Bueckers' individual success, the Dallas Wings struggled as a team, finishing with a 10-30 record and missing the playoffs. However, the team's performance positions them for another opportunity in the draft lottery next season.
Joining UConn Legends
Paige Bueckers now joins an elite group of former UConn players who have earned the Rookie of the Year award. This list includes WNBA legends such as Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010), Maya Moore (2011), Breanna Stewart (2016), Napheesa Collier (2019), and Crystal Dangerfield (2020). The rookie award, established in 1998, has now been awarded to 16 players drafted No. 1 overall.
Where to Buy Paige Bueckers' Dallas Wings Jersey
Following her Rookie of the Year win, demand for Paige Bueckers' Dallas Wings jersey has surged. While the jersey is currently sold out at some locations, fans can still find it at Nike, where it retails for $100. Nike also offers a curated collection of Bueckers' gear, including a Rookie of the Year shirt that is expected to be available soon.
Shop Paige Bueckers collection at Nike
Bueckers' Impact Beyond the Court
Despite the Wings' struggles, Bueckers' impact extends beyond the basketball court. Wings CEO and managing partner Greg Bibb praised her as "a tremendous player on the court," "a wonderful teammate," and "a fantastic ambassador for the organization." He emphasized that her expectations were sky high, and she exceeded all of them. She embraced the Dallas-Fort Worth community by attending Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers games, as well as a clinic for Dallas ISD girls basketball players.
Looking Ahead: Bueckers' Offseason Plans
For her offseason, Bueckers plans to travel, visit loved ones, and settle into her new home base in Dallas. In January, she will participate in Unrivaled, a 3-on-3 basketball league founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. Additionally, Bueckers will focus on recovering and preparing for the upcoming WNBA season after a whirlwind year that included a national championship, being drafted No. 1, and starting her professional career.
“It’s hard when you’re in it. But I’ve always looked back at everything that’s happened in my life and been grateful for it, so I’ve just been in an unconditional state of gratitude knowing that this is bettering me for the future and this has a purpose,” - Paige Bueckers
