Paige Bueckers has secured her place in WNBA history in a way Caitlin Clark didn’t quite manage – joining an exclusive five-player club of women who have simultaneously won an NCAA championship, been selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA draft, and been named Rookie of the Year in the same year.
The company? Legends like Breanna Stewart, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, and Tina Charles.
Drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in April 2025 following her UConn national championship, Bueckers had expectations.
She didn’t just meet them–she smashed them. In her rookie season, she averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, while also leading all rookies in scoring and assists.
She remained efficient, shooting nearly 47-48% from the field. It was a standout performance, even though the Wings didn’t make the playoffs.
Her impact wasn’t just statistical. She impressed with hockey assists, clutch moments, and her ability to make those around her better. One highlight: a 44-point masterpiece against the Sparks–a rookie single-game record.
That, combined with her leadership and poise, pushed her past competitors in voter panels. She took 70 of the 72 votes for Rookie of the Year.
What Caitlin Clark did differently
Caitlin Clark, on the other hand, came extremely close–but fell short on one of the three pillars. In her rookie season (2024 with the Indiana Fever), Clark was everything people expected: she averaged high scoring numbers, dished out assists, broke rookie records, and was unanimously voted Rookie of the Year.
However, she didn’t win an NCAA championship in the year she was drafted No. 1 and given ROY–because that accolade had already passed before she entered the WNBA.
It’s a narrow margin, but exactly the type of nuance that differentiates a new club of legends. While both Bueckers and Clark have made enormous impacts in their early pro years, this symbol marks something unique for Paige–an all-in trifecta of title, draft honor, and rookie dominance.
For fans and analysts, this moment is deeply symbolic. Bueckers now sits among legends–not only for what she does on the court, but for the timing of how she did it. For Clark, the conversation isn’t over; she remains a star with an already impressive legacy.
But Bueckers’ achievement shines for its perfect alignment of college,talent recognition, and pro debut success.
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