Paige Bueckers: A Rising Star in the WNBA

Paige Bueckers is expected to shine in her career, although joining the Dallas Wings as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft means she might not step into the best situation for success. But has she rapidly become a star? The answer is a resounding yes.

In her debut season, Bueckers, a former standout at UConn, has averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. While Dallas struggles with a record of 9-27, Bueckers stands out among rookies, leading in points, assists, and steals with an impressive shooting percentage of 47.4%.

She ranks as the fifth overall scorer in the WNBA and holds one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios among players appearing in at least 25 games. Recently, she tied the WNBA record for the most points in a single game by a rookie, scoring 44 points and shooting 17 for 21, including a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point range.

Historically, young WNBA guards often face challenges in their initial season, even if they’re highly touted. Kelsey Plum, for example, was the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer but averaged only 8.5 points her rookie year. Sabrina Ionescu had her season cut short by injury, averaging 11.7 points upon her return. Kelsey Mitchell, another top pick in 2018, averaged 12.7 points at 34.6% shooting during her rookie campaign. Even Rhyne Howard, who excelled with 16.2 points in 2022, shot 36.1% from the field.

However, Bueckers seems to defy the norm. Unlike her peers, her rookie performance has been unmatched, standing out among the WNBA’s elite young guards. The only recent rookie who might compare is Caitlin Clark, who averaged 19.2 points and 8.4 assists last season, yet shot only 41.7% compared to Bueckers’ current efficiency. Despite Indiana’s playoff push, the Dallas team, unfortunately, hasn’t performed as well, although Indiana had a stronger roster.

Both players’ rookie seasons are remarkable in their own right. Last year was a dream for Bueckers, having won the national championship at UConn and being drafted first overall shortly after that success.

On Wednesday night, her explosive performance reinforced her status as a front-runner for the WNBA Rookie of the Year title, though she faces stiff competition from Washington’s Sonia Citron, who’s also having an outstanding season herself. Citron is boasting averages of 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 46.6% from the field.

Ultimately, while Bueckers’ rookie season is noteworthy, her recent game against the Los Angeles Sparks showcased just how exceptional her first year has been.