Paige Bueckers wins 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year after Historic Season
Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings is defended by Bria Hartley #14 of the Connecticut Sun. Image Credit: Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers has been named the 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Wings player to earn the honor since Allisha Gray in 2017. The league announced the award on Tuesday following one of the most dominant debut campaigns in WNBA history.
Bueckers received 70 of 72 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron claimed the remaining two votes. The near sweep highlights Bueckers’ overwhelming impact on the league in her first season.
Paige Bueckers Rookie Season by the Numbers
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft lived up to the hype from day one. Starting all 36 games, Bueckers averaged:
- 19.2 points per game
- 5.4 assists per game
- 3.9 rebounds per game
- 1.6 steals per game
- 47.4% shooting from the field
- 88.8% from the free throw line
She led all rookies in points, assists, and scoring average, while also ranking among the league’s top 10 overall in points, assists, and steals per game.
Her 692 total points rank third-most by a rookie in WNBA history, and she tied for second in double-digit scoring games with 35.
Historic Milestones and Records
Bueckers’ rookie season wasn’t just consistent, it was historic.
- Set a WNBA rookie single-game record with 44 points on August 20 vs. Los Angeles Sparks, shooting an astonishing 81% (17-of-21).
- Became the first WNBA rookie ever to average at least 15 points and 5 assists while shooting 45% or better.
- Fastest rookie in league history to reach 500 points and 100 assists.
- Posted 10 games with at least 20 points and 5 assists, second only to Caitlin Clark’s 18 in 2024.
- One of just two rookies ever to record 500+ points, 150+ assists, 100+ rebounds, and 50+ steals in a season (joining Clark).
Her record-setting year also earned her a spot as a 2025 WNBA All-Star starter and three straight Rookie of the Month awards (June, July, August).
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From UConn Stardom to WNBA Breakthrough
Selected first overall out of UConn, Bueckers carried her winning pedigree into the pros. At UConn, she was a three-time AP First Team All-American and helped lead the Huskies to four Final Fours, culminating in the 2025 NCAA championship.
Her seamless transition to the WNBA has reinforced her reputation as one of the most skilled guards of her generation.
What’s Next for Paige Bueckers and the Wings?
With her rookie year behind her, Bueckers now stands as the cornerstone of the Dallas Wings’ future. Surrounded by proven scorers like Arike Ogunbowale, her all-around playmaking makes Dallas an immediate contender in the Western Conference.
Bueckers’ Rookie of the Year award also signals a new era of star power in the WNBA. Her ability to score, create, and lead has already placed her alongside past greats such as Candace Parker, Maya Moore, and A’ja Wilson, all former Rookie of the Year winners who went on to become league MVPs.
Voting Results – 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year
- Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings – 70 votes
- Sonia Citron, Washington Mystics – 2 votes
Past WNBA Rookie of the Year Winners
Recent honorees include:
- 2024 – Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)
- 2023 – Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever)
- 2022 – Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream)
- 2021 – Michaela Onyenwere (New York Liberty)
- 2020 – Crystal Dangerfield (Minnesota Lynx)
Bueckers now joins this elite group, adding her name to a legacy of players who shaped the league’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Paige Bueckers and the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year
Who won the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year?
Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings won the 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year award after a record-breaking debut season.
How many votes did Paige Bueckers get for Rookie of the Year?
She received 70 of 72 possible votes, making her the near-unanimous choice for the award.
What were Paige Bueckers’ rookie season stats?
Bueckers averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 47.4% from the field and 88.8% from the free throw line.
Did Paige Bueckers set any records in her rookie season?
Yes. She set a WNBA rookie single-game scoring record with 44 points on 81% shooting and became the first rookie ever to average 15+ points and 5+ assists on 45% shooting in a season.
How does Paige Bueckers compare to past Rookie of the Year winners?
Her numbers rank among the best in league history, placing her alongside stars like Candace Parker, Maya Moore, A’ja Wilson, and Caitlin Clark.
What’s next for Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings?
Bueckers is expected to become the franchise cornerstone. Paired with Arike Ogunbowale, she positions the Wings as a strong playoff contender in the coming seasons.
Where did Paige Bueckers play college basketball?
She starred at the University of Connecticut (UConn), where she was a three-time All-American and helped win the 2025 NCAA championship.
How much does the Rookie of the Year winner receive?
Bueckers received $5,150 and a commemorative Kia trophy for being named the 2025 Rookie of the Year.