WNBA Commissioner Makes Unexpected Move For Paige Bueckers’ Big News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 11:31 AM ET

Tuesday was a big day in the WNBA. While fans were preparing for two postseason matchups that night, some major news unfolded off the court.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert surprised Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers in a memorable way. On "The Jennifer Hudson Show" in Los Angeles, Bueckers walked through a spirited tunnel of cast members singing and cheering her on. At the end of that tunnel, Engelbert was waiting, holding the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year trophy.

“I bet I’m the last person you expected to see in this tunnel,” Engelbert said with a smile. “But I’m here to present you with the 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year award.”

Bueckers, beaming, responded with a simple, “Wow, thank you,” before posing for a quick photo with the commissioner. As she continued walking, the crowd broke into chants of “Rookie of the Year,” capping off the special moment.

Paige Bueckers did not expect THIS at the end of her tunnel! @WNBA @DallasWings pic.twitter.com/wyJ8RsJdl8
— The Jennifer Hudson Show (@JHudShow) September 16, 2025

Bueckers joins a very strong list of players to win the award. The 2024 award went to Caitlin Clark, who was the second straight from the Indiana Fever. Aliyah Boston won it in 2023. Before that, Rhyne Howard, Napheesa Collier, A'ja Wilson, Allisha Gray, Breanna Stewart, and Jewell Loyd are league stars who have won the award.

While it was a tough season for Dallas, winning just 10 of 44 games and tying with Chicago for the worst record in the league, Bueckers had a sensational rookie season. The 23-year-old, following her national title at UConn, played 36 games, averaging 33.3 minutes per game for the Wings.

Bueckers led the team in scoring with 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. Her final game of her rookie season was Sept. 11 against Phoenix, where she scored 24 points, dished out seven assists and recorded eight rebounds.

In her second season, Bueckers will look to help Dallas snap their two-year streak of missing the postseason. The Wings last made the postseason in 2023 when they went 22-18, and lost in the Semifinals of the WNBA postseason.

Bueckers is the seventh UConn Huskies player to win the award. It was the first time a UConn alum won the award since Crystal Dangerfield won it in 2020. Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, along with Stewart and Napheesa Collier, are the others.

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

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