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