Paige Bueckers has finally done it. After breaking a plethora of records, Bueckers has been named the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Coming in as the number one overall pick, the 23-year-old rookie made an impact right away. Despite the Dallas Wings’ struggles, it was their rookie star who always ended up on the bright side. However, the Wings’ rookie winning the award brought some more good news for the UConn Huskies.
This year, the battle for the ROY award was not a cakewalk. While it was clear that Bueckers had an edge, the likes of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen also posed some major challenges. Thankfully, putting an end to speculations, it was Wings’ star who emerged at the top.
Paige Bueckers Makes UConn Huskies Proud After Rookie Of The Year Award
The Huskies are reigning the basketball realm at the moment. While UConn has always been known for its superior basketball program, this year, they have created history. Earlier in the year, the NBA handed over their Rookie of the Year to Stephon Castle for his impeccable performance. And guess from which college he was? UConn Huskies!
And now, with Bueckers clinching the ROY in the WNBA, the program achieved a rare feat that no other college has ever accomplished. The Huskies are now the only school to produce the NBA and the WNBA Rookie of the Year in the same season. Now, that’s quite an impressive record to boast on the CV. And if you thought that this was all, then brace up because there’s more.
UCONN is the first school to produce the NBA & WNBA ROTY in the same season 😤🔥
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 16, 2025
🐾 2025 NBA ROTY: Stephon Castle
🐾 2025 WNBA ROTY: Paige Bueckers
(h/t @TheHuskyReport_) pic.twitter.com/BKo4w6Lp7N
To further assert the Huskies’ hooping dominance, here’s a bit of fact. The Wings’ star is not the first Husky to win the prestigious award in the WNBA. Previously, there have been six more athletes from the school who have clinched the ROY award. Likewise, in the NBA, Castle was the second alumnus from UConn to grab the men’s Rookie of the Year. Meanwhile, coming back to the 23-year/old WNBA star, she did face some stiff competition. While the likes of Sydney Johnson advocated for Citron and Iriafen to win the award, Bueckers’ records were too prominent to be ignored. So much so that the Wings’ General manager could not stop praising her.
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Curt Miller Heaps Praise On Paige Bueckers
The moment Wings secured Bueckers in the draft, the team knew that she was special. Soon after the draft took place, general manager Curt Miller stated that he “knew we had a special opportunity. Very early on, it was Paige and Paige only.” And surely, the Dallas rookie repaid his faith fully. While the team struggled and ended up with a last-place finish, it was Bueckers who always emerged as their knight in shining armor.
And it is for this reason that Miller has always heaped praises on the rookie star throughout the season. He appreciated Bueckers’ efficiency on the hardwood, his unselfishness, and also her willingness to take over the situation when it mattered. After the ROY was announced, Miller took to his X, formerly known as Twitter account, and wrote, “Incredible player… better person. This is just the beginning. Congratulations Paige!”
Thus, it is evident that Bueckers will be a pivotal factor next year as the Wings look to build the team around her. Now, fans will be eager to see how well she can orchestrate a Dallas Wings comeback.