The stars at night aren’t the only things big and bright deep in the heart of Texas as former No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers was named 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Bueckers becomes the second member of the Wings to win the award, joining 2017 recipient Allisha Gray.
The Dallas Wings struggled in 2025, finishing the regular season tied with the Chicago Sky for the worst record in the WNBA at 10-34, while losing 10 straight to end the season before beating the Mercury in the final game. However, Bueckers was one of the team’s few bright spots.
The UConn product put up one of the best rookie seasons in league history statistically, tallying 19.1 points per game, 5.3 assists per game, and 3.8 rebounds per game, with both her points and assists totals ranking top-ten among rookies in league history, per Basketball-Reference.
Bueckers received 70 out of the 72 votes for the award. Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron received the other two votes.
Paige Bueckers stats
Bueckers’ 2025 stats were some of the greatest rookie numbers the league has ever seen. As mentioned earlier, Bueckers’ points per game (19.1) ranks eighth in league history among rookies, while her assists per game (5.3) ranks seventh all-time.
Bueckers also broke the rookie single-game scoring record, dropping 44 points in an August 20 game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Unfortunately, the Wings would wind up losing that game 81-80.
Paige Bueckers receives Rookie of the Year award
Bueckers received a nice surprise when making an appearance on ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show.’
WNBA Rookie of the Year recipients
- 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
- 2019: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
- 2018: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
- 2017: Allisha Gray, Dallas Wings
- 2016: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
- 2015: Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
- 2014: Chiney Ogwumike, Connecticut Sun
- 2013: Elena Delle Donne, Chicago Sky
- 2012: Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
- 2011: Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx
- 2010: Tina Charles, Connecticut Sun
- 2009: Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta Dream
- 2008: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
- 2007: Armintie Price, Chicago Sky
- 2006: Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx
- 2005: Temeka Johnson, Washington Mystics
- 2004: Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
- 2003: Cheryl Floyd, Detroit Shock
- 2002: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
- 2001: Jackie Stiles, Portland Fire
- 2000: Betty Lennox, Minnesota Lynx
- 1999: Chamique Holdsclaw, Washington Mystics
- 1998: Tracy Reid, Charlotte Sting
