The arrival of new, talented, and charismatic players to the WNBA has injected fresh energy into the league. Fans now tune in with greater anticipation, eager to see what these rising stars can accomplish.
A year ago, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese entered the WNBA. With their distinct personalities and undeniable skills on the court, both have redefined the league’s landscape. Records seem to follow them with every confident step.
Clark reached 500 points in just 29 games, an unprecedented mark in league history. Reese needed slightly longer, accomplishing the feat in 38 contests. Now, Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers has joined the conversation. Unfortunately for her, her arrival coincided with a painful 96-99 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.
The rookie who reached 500 points the fastest
Bueckers has emerged as the league’s best rookie of 2025, yet her team’s performance has not matched her brilliance. She has already compiled 500 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists. With 29 points in her latest outing, she became just the 22nd rookie to reach that milestone.
For the Wings, it is also a record: never before had a rookie scored 500 points so quickly, as she needed only 27 games. Still, Bueckers insists that such milestones are secondary compared to the team’s collective growth and aspirations.
After the game, when asked in a press conference whether she felt satisfied with the achievement, she shifted the focus to the group effort.
Yeah, it’s hard to reflect when you’re in the middle of it, cuz you’re just so focused on what every day looks like for you. And… as a team, it’s never ‘how many points are you going to score,’ it’s ‘how can we contribute to winning on any given night, whether it’s zero points or 10 points or 20 points’. So for me, it’s just all about how can I be the best teammate and how can I be the best leader, and how can we all contribute to winning. So… that’s really all the reflection is about.
This is not the first time she has emphasized teamwork over personal statistics. Asked earlier about her impressive rookie season, she once again deflected attention to her teammates.
Basically by not paying attention to any other expectations other people put on me.” “I just try to be the best version of myself I can be for my team at the end of the day.
She also credited her coaches:
They just welcome me with open arms and embrace who I am.”… “They allow me to be me, be confident in myself, and instill confidence within me. Feeling comfortable in who I am and using my voice is something they help with a lot.
For most rookies, the debut season is a time to learn and observe. But things have shifted: new players now make an immediate impact in the WNBA.
Caitlin Clark’s year has been plagued by injuries
Comparisons with Clark remain inevitable. Yet this season has been difficult for her. Hampered by a lingering quadriceps injury and now a groin issue, she has already missed 12 games. As a result, statistical comparisons with Bueckers are unbalanced.
Even so, in her rookie year, Clark dominated nearly every category, leaving an indelible mark on her peers and the league alike.
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