From her high school days to an extraordinary college career, Paige Bueckers has always carried that rare gift only a few players possess, one that becomes magnified once they arrive in the WNBA.
Bueckers has quickly established herself as the leading, if not the only, serious contender for rookie of the year. In every game, she seems fully aware of the spotlight on her -aware that fans and analysts are watching closely- yet she consistently focuses on the collective effort, striving to surpass her previous outings with dazzling, almost otherworldly performances.
Her talent deserves a stronger team around her
Unfortunately for Bueckers, her current team has not risen to match her brilliance. At this point in the WNBA season, the Dallas Wings have already suffered more defeats in a single campaign than Bueckers experienced in her entire five-year college career.
Undoubtedly, the situation cannot be pleasing. Yet she has made it clear that her goal is to contribute to the entire franchise, not merely to shine individually.
A rookie season unlike any other
Bueckers entered the league with enormous expectations, and she has lived up to them. Every game, every clash, every possession demonstrates her relentless determination to showcase her skillset from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
Her winning mindset, however, has not yet permeated throughout her team. Quietly, she may be suffering through this stretch of losses. At UConn, her college record speaks volumes: 123 games played, 110 wins and only 13 defeats, an .894 winning percentage.
Today, her Wings struggle to secure victories. With a 9-27 record, Dallas remains near the bottom of the standings. Even when Bueckers delivers electrifying performances, the team continues to endure painful defeats.
Her numbers remain outstanding: 18.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Among WNBA rookies, she stands apart, but her production rivals even the league’s established stars. Within her first 20 professional games, she had already recorded double figures consistently, becoming a phenomenon.
Her monthly tallies underscore the trend. In June and July, she averaged 21.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, highlighted by a 35-point outburst. Along the wa,y she has set numerous records.
- Fastest rookie to reach 500 points and 100 assists, doing so in only 27 games
- Reached 500 points and 150 assists within 28 appearances
- First guard since 1997 to tally 250 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists early in her career
- First player to record 350 or more points and 100 or more assists in her first 20 outings
Her most recent performance against the Los Angeles Sparks defied description. Scoring 44 points, she set yet another milestone, becoming the first rookie in league history to reach such a staggering total.
Bueckers’ extraordinary skills and commanding presence elevate her beyond the realm of rookies; she now stands among the league’s very best.
As the 2025 WNBA season nears its conclusion, Paige Bueckers has positioned herself as the overwhelming favorite to capture rookie of the year honors. Frankly, she has no true rival, though her candidacy may be somewhat overshadowed by her team’s ongoing struggles.
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