Paige Bueckers has long stood as the front-runner for the WNBA Rookie of the Year title, her dazzling debut with the Dallas Wings backed by gaudy stats and historic efficiency. Yet now, Sonia Citron of the Washington Mystics is emerging as a powerful challenger bit by bit, proving that sometimes the biggest threat doesn’t come from afar – but from right beside you.
Citron isn’t just closing the gap – she’s setting new standards. In her latest performance, she notched a season-high 11 points, surpassing 35 games scoring in double figures – and matching Caitlin Clark‘s all-time record for most 10+ point games by a rookie.
Citron now sits tall in the ROTY conversation, sporting averages of 15.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game – numbers that place her solidly among WNBA leaders across efficiency stats.
While Bueckers still holds the statistical edge – leading all rookies with 19.0 points, 5.2 assists, and a 19.7 efficiency rating – Citron matches or eclipses her in areas like true shooting percentage, win shares, and consistency.
Plus, she’s the first rookie in Mystics history to record a 25+ point, 10+ rebound game.
Rookie of the Year is no longer a foregone conclusion
Citron has not only matched Bueckers stat for stat – she’s thrived with remarkably balanced production from May through August, while playing more games overall. Bueckers, despite abbreviated time on the court, continues to carry a heavy offensive load in Dallas. That context matters.
Bueckers, incredibly efficient and already record-breaking – once pouring in 44 points on 81% shooting – remains the clear frontrunner.
Yet Sonia Citron‘s relentless closing of the gap raises a warning: the Rookie of the Year race is no longer a landslide, it’s a battle. With nine regular-season games still to play, Citron’s sustained excellence adds real suspense to what was once a foregone conclusion.
In the end, Bueckers may still emerge victorious. But the presence of a fierce competitor like Citron proves that even the best performances can’t coast on hype alone. The WNBA Rookie of the Year fight is now wide open – and both players have earned every bit of the spotlight.
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