UConn Makes Basketball History Following Paige Bueckers Rookie of the Year News

Paige Bueckers is less than a week removed from one of the most impressive rookie seasons in WNBA history. Bueckers, who was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2025 WNBA draft out of the University of Connecticut, entered the WNBA with almost unreal expectations on her shoulders.

She not only lived up to those expectations, she surpassed them with flying colors. On Tuesday, it was officially announced that Bueckers had won the 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year award. It was nearly a unanimous vote, as she received 70 of 72 first-place votes.

Playing in 36 games this season, Bueckers posted historic numbers. She joined Caitlin Clark as the only other player in WNBA history to finish top-three all-time in total points and total assists in their rookie season.

Bueckers finished No. 3 all-time in points (692) and No. 3 all-time in assists (194). She also finished tied for No. 17 all-time in steals (57) for a rookie.

Paige Bueckers ROTY Win Creates Unique Basketball History

The ROTY award winner from the NBA doesn't often have much in common with the WNBA's winner, outside of their incredible abilities to play basketball, however, the moment Bueckers was named Rookie of the Year, she and San Antonio Spurs ROTY Stephon Castle, instantly created history.

Upon Tuesdays' announcement, UConn became the first school to produce the WNBA and NBA's ROTY award winners in the same season.