Paige Bueckers’ rookie year with the Dallas Wings might not have ended in playoff contention, but it’s clear she didn’t measure her first professional season by wins alone.
Despite a 10-win campaign that placed the Wings 13th in the WNBA standings, Bueckers walked away with something arguably more valuable, which is growth, resilience, and a deeper sense of gratitude.
Dubbed by some fans as the “Jubilee Year of Hope,” the 2025 season became a proving ground for Bueckers.
“I wouldn’t trade this rookie year for anything,” she said after the season finale. “People can look at the results and say, ‘How can you be so happy with a 10-win season?’ But I know I’ll look back at the end of my career and be really appreciative of this year.”
Her mindset isn’t new. Bueckers’ journey has been shaped by adversity since her college days at UConn, where she battled through a torn ACL, concussions, and recurring injuries. Her return to play in 2023 after missing nearly 600 days only deepened her appreciation for the game, and that gratitude has clearly carried over into the pros.
Breaking records while building a foundation
Despite the team’s struggles, Bueckers thrived individually. She made history by surpassing WNBA legend Sue Bird to become the third-highest rookie in assists, finishing the season with 194. Only Ticha Penicheiro (224) and Caitlin Clark (337) rank higher in that category.
She also climbed into the top three for rookie scoring. With 692 points, Bueckers surpassed A’ja Wilson (682) and trails only Seimone Augustus (744) and Caitlin Clark (769). In one standout performance, she dropped 44 points, tying the WNBA rookie single-game scoring record and notching the highest point total by any player in the league that season.
The final game of the year was more than a feel-good win. The Wings snapped a 10-game losing streak by defeating the Phoenix Mercury, with Bueckers, Aziaha James, and Amy Okonkwo each scoring over 20 points. It marked the first time in league history that a rookie trio accomplished that feat in the same game.
Throughout the season, Bueckers earned Rookie of the Month honors three consecutive times and led all first-year players in scoring and assists. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
What truly stands out is her unwavering faith and humility. “Just an overwhelming sense of gratitude,” she said on draft night, and that sentiment carried through to season’s end. Bueckers doesn’t define her success by accolades or standings, but by how she’s grown.
Bueckers is redefining what a rookie season can mean: not just records and rankings, but resilience, perspective, and purpose.
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