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Paige Bueckers Making Air-Tight Case for WNBA Rookie of the Year

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 12:35 AM ET

The number of recognizable players with superstar talent in the WNBA is rising every year, as the league and the sport continue to reach new heights of popularity and visibility.

But while the 2024 draft class of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese had at least some competitive balance at the top, 2025 has been the year of guard Paige Bueckers.

After recovering from an ACL tear during her second collegiate season in 2021-22, Bueckers rebounded to lead the Connecticut Huskies to a National Title in March -- the prestigious program's first championship in nearly a decade.

Approximately two months later, the Dallas Wings made Bueckers the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft. Since joining the franchise, Bueckers has stood out as easily the most dynamic offensive player of the league's newest rookie class.

Paige Bueckers has dropped 20+ points in back-to-back games, leading the Wings to two straight wins

She now has four 20-point games this season. The rest of the rookie class combined? Also four pic.twitter.com/AgEzAB52xK
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 21, 2025

"Paige Bueckers has dropped 20+ points in back-to-back games, leading the Wings to two straight wins," the "SportsCenter" X account posted on Friday night, June 20. "She now has four 20-point games this season. The rest of the rookie class combined? Also four ."

Bueckers is averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals across 10 games played, missing four contests due to a concussion and an illness earlier in the year.

The Wings have played 14 games in 2025 and currently own a record of 3-11. However, Dallas is now officially on its first winning streak of the campaign.

Bueckers' career-high point total came against the Phoenix Mercury on June 11, when she poured in 35 points in a 93-80 road loss.

Approximately 30% of the way into her rookie season, Bueckers is the clear frontrunner to win WNBA Rookie of the Year -- assuming she remains healthy for the majority of campaign.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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