Former UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers was named the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press on Saturday, marking the first of what will certainly be many postseason honors for the rising superstar.
Bueckers was also selected to the AP’s All-WNBA second team, becoming the third rookie to earn a spot on an All-WNBA team since the organization began giving end-of-year awards in 2016. She joins 2024 Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and fellow UConn legend Breanna Stewart in 2016, who were both first-team selections.
Though her Dallas Wings finished the season in last place with a 10-34 record, Bueckers had the individual production to make a first-team case. She led Dallas in every major stat category except rebounds, averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 3.9 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game. Bueckers had the highest field goal percentage of any starting guard in the league hitting 47.7%, and she ranked seventh among all eligible players in free throw percentage shooting 88.8%.
The former Husky was also the only player in the WNBA this season to record a 40-point game, tying the rookie scoring record set by Cynthia Cooper in 1997 with 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks on Aug. 20. Bueckers shot 80% from the field in that performance, marking the most efficient 40-point game in league history.
UConn great Napheesa Collier was a unanimous selection to the AP’s All-WNBA first team for the second consecutive season, though she was edged out in the MVP race by Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson. Wilson and Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas both joined Collier as unanimous first-team members, and Wilson was also named the AP Defensive Player of the Year award for the third time since 2020.
Collier finished the 2025 regular season in historic fashion, becoming the second player ever to average 50% shooting from the field, 40% from 3-point range and 90% at the free throw line. She joined seven-time All-Star Elena Delle Donne, who accomplished the feat in her 2019 MVP season with the Washington Mystics. Collier led the Minnesota Lynx to a 34-10 record and the top seed in the WNBA Playoffs, averaging a career-high 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals and a career-high 1.5 blocks. She is the only player besides Wilson to rank top five in points, steals and blocks this year.
Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray and Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell completed the first team behind the unanimous trio. New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu, Seattle Storm forward Nneka Ogwumike, Sparks guard Kelsey Plum and Aces guard Jackie Young joined Bueckers on the second team.
Connecticut Sun rookie Leila Lacan was named to the AP All-Rookie team alongside Bueckers, becoming the first Sun player to earn the honor in its 10-year history. Lacan played just 25 games after reporting from her overseas obligations in France in early July, but her impact was immediate upon arrival. The 21-year-old finished second in the league in steals per game averaging 2.2, and she was 10th in total steals despite her limited appearances. Lacan also logged 10.4 points on 47.7% shooting from the field plus 3.7 assists per game.
Mystics standouts Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen also made the All-Rookie team, and Golden State Valkyries guard Janelle Salaun rounded out the group.
The WNBA will begin releasing its official end-of-season awards next week, starting with the Most Improved Player on Monday. The Defensive Player of the Year will be announced Friday followed by MVP on Saturday. The All-Rookie team will be released Sept. 29, and the first and second All-WNBA teams will conclude the awards slate on Oct. 7. A date has not yet been determined for the Rookie of the Year announcement.
