‘Make Me Change My Ways’: Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston Debate Paige Bueckers vs. Sonia Citron for Rookie of the Year

The 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year award has been Paige Bueckers’ to lose from the moment she stepped on the court for the Dallas Wings. The No. 1 overall pick has delivered one of the most impressive debut seasons in league history — combining scoring, playmaking, efficiency, and leadership for a rebuilding team that has leaned heavily on her as its primary offensive engine.

Bueckers’ year has been defined by consistency and impact. She was named Rookie of the Month in both June and July, earned a starting spot in the All-Star Game, and became the fastest rookie in WNBA history to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds, and 100 assists. She has yet to score fewer than 10 points in a game and currently leads all first-year players in nearly every major statistical category.

Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston Weigh In on Post Moves

On their Post Moves podcast, Candace Parker and Aliyah Boston broke down the rookie race and emphasized Bueckers’ dominance.

“Paige still leads rookies in every pretty much major category and remains the favorite for rookie of the year,” Parker said, noting her averages of 18.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds. “Could Sonia, in August, make things a little bit interesting? It’s going to be great.”

Boston followed up by pointing to the combination of composure and production that has defined Bueckers’ rookie campaign. She noted that while the spotlight and expectations have been immense for the No. 1 pick, Bueckers has maintained a steady approach and continued to deliver at a historic rate.

“Back in July, Paige became the first player in WBA history to total 350 points, 100 assists in the first 20 games of their career,” Boston said. “And so Paige is having herself a season. I think it’s just a matter of her being on the court, is what all of us want to see. So this could be interesting. I think I give the nod to Paige Bueckers for Rookie of the Year, but Sonia, make me change my ways.”

Parker also pointed to the qualities that have set Bueckers apart, but mentioned that her missing seven games while Citron has not missed time adds some complexity to the comparison.

Paige is just so calm, cool, and collected,” Parker said. “I think the only unfavorable kind of check on Paige’s side is that she has missed seven games. There are no such rules in the WNBA of an amount of games that you have to play to be eligible for, you know, postseason awards like there are in the NBA.”

Paige Bueckers Draws Praise from Teammates and Coaches

After Bueckers’ 16-point, eight-assist performance in Tuesday’s 81–80 win over the Indiana Fever, Myisha Hines-Allen spoke about her rookie teammate’s ability to control the game.

“They were switching up how they played her a lot, but her poise stood out,” Hines-Allen told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “She got any shot she wanted without forcing it. She trusted her teammates—eight assists tonight—and those shots are going to fall. I think that’s her next progression. She also did a great job defensively on Kelsey Mitchell, which is a tough assignment. She took that challenge head-on from the start. As the No. 1 pick, she has a lot of pressure, but she carries herself professionally every single day—on and off the court. She does the little things people don’t see, and she has a championship mentality.”

Wings head coach Chris Koclanes credited Bueckers’ ability to read the game against Indiana’s defensive adjustments.

“With Paige, they got more aggressive in the second half, and she’s just going to make the right play over and over,” Koclanes told DallasHoopsJournal.com. “Six-for-19—not her most efficient game—but those eight assists. With Arike out, she shouldered such a load. That gets to you when you’re asked to make play after play. She’s an incredible rookie—trusted her teammates and made simple reads.”

The Numbers Tell the Story for Paige Bueckers

Through 26 games, Bueckers is shooting 45.7% from the floor, roughly 33% from three, and 86.1% from the free throw line. She leads the league in made midrange shots from 10–15 feet and is the only rookie ranked in the top ten in both points and assists league-wide.

Most sportsbooks have already pulled Rookie of the Year odds from the board — with Bueckers closing as a heavy favorite at -1200 before markets shut down. Without a games-played requirement in the WNBA for postseason awards, her brief absences won’t affect eligibility.

Closing Out the Indiana Fever

Dallas snapped a five-game losing streak Tuesday behind Maddy Siegrist’s career-high-tying 22 points in her first start since June 6 and Li Yueru’s 20 points off the bench. Bueckers’ highlight moment came in the fourth quarter when she delivered a wraparound pass to Hines-Allen for a 3-pointer to push the Wings’ lead to 78–61 with 6:38 remaining.

Indiana, playing without Caitlin Clark for the 20th time this season, stormed back with a 19–3 run. Mitchell’s contested runner with 33.4 seconds left made it a one-point game, but her last-second 3-point attempt hit the side of the backboard as Dallas held on for the win.

More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors

• WNBA News: “She’s Very Low Maintenance”: Maddy Siegrist’s Career Night Against Indiana Fever Extends Post-Injury Momentum
• WNBA News: “We Just Try to Get the Win”: Career-High Performances From Maddy Siegrist, Li Yueru Lift Dallas Wings Past Indiana Fever in Road Thriller
• WNBA News: “I’ve Really Been Enjoying My Time Here”: Grace Berger Grateful for Rest-of-Season Contract With Dallas Wings
• WNBA News: Paige Bueckers, Myisha Hines-Allen to Play vs. Indiana Fever; Arike Ogunbowale’s Status Uncertain
• WNBA News: Grace Berger Lands Rest-of-Season Contract With Dallas Wings Before Indiana Fever Matchup
• WNBA News: “Adrenaline Is a Hell of a Drug”: Paige Bueckers Managing Back Injury as Dallas Wings Share Status vs. Indiana Fever
• WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers