‘She Is Rookie of the Year’: Chris Koclanes Makes Paige Bueckers’ Case Ahead of Los Angeles Sparks Matchup
Before the Dallas Wings tipped off against the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday night, head coach Chris Koclanes didn’t hesitate when asked why rookie guard Paige Bueckers deserves the league’s top first-year honor.
“I mean, it’s just clear. She is Rookie of the Year. There’s no question. She just is,” Koclanes said. “I’m at a loss for words because she’s just an incredible talent on and off the floor. She’s our leader, and she makes everybody around her better.”
Paige Bueckers’ Numbers and Impact
Bueckers has established herself as the frontrunner for the award with averages of 18.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists through 28 games. She ranks sixth in the WNBA in scoring and ninth in assists, while also adding 1.7 steals per game — the sixth-best mark in the league.
Koclanes pointed to more than the numbers, emphasizing her maturity and presence beyond the box score.
“You can look at the numbers — they speak for themselves: the scoring, the assists, the rebounding, the steals. But what you don’t see at times is the impact off the floor,” Koclanes said. “She’s kept our locker room together. As a rookie, to come in and have the impact she’s had in helping us navigate adversity and tough times — just truly leading by example with a process-oriented approach.”
The 23-year-old was voted an All-Star starter this summer, a rare feat for a first-year player, and has become Dallas’ leading scorer in a season where the Wings have struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Despite a 9-26 record entering Wednesday, Bueckers’ steady play has been the constant.
“Her work ethic is unmatched,” Koclanes said. “She works so hard to make sure she’s ready on game days, physically and mentally. I’m just happy that everything on the floor is coming together, because nobody works harder off the floor.”
Dallas Wings Star Showing Aggression at the Rim
Bueckers’ recent stretch underscored her ability to adapt and attack. She set a season high in points at the rim with 19 against the Sparks last week, then followed it with 14 in the next game — her first back-to-back outings in double figures at the rim.
“Just being more aggressive, playing downhill,” Koclanes said of her approach. “She’s been scoring through contact — a bunch of and-ones too the last couple of games. And then the deeper she gets into the paint, more people collapse, so she’ll continue to have opportunities to spray her teammates as well. But I love that she’s mixing it up and continuing to play downhill.”
Bueckers’ case for Rookie of the Year also comes in the context of a strong class, with players like Washington’s Sonia Citron earning recognition. Still, her production and leadership set her apart.
Winning the award would place Bueckers in the same company as past greats such as Diana Taurasi, A’ja Wilson, and Candace Parker — names Koclanes alluded to when highlighting the historical significance of her season.
“She works like those players worked,” Koclanes said. “That’s why she is where she is right now.”
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
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- WNBA News: “Li Was a Big Presence”: Li Yueru Out for Season With ACL Sprain, Dallas Wings Adjust Before Los Angeles Sparks Rematch
- WNBA News: “Our Spacing and Ball Movement Are Encouraging”: Arike Ogunbowale Sidelined With Knee Tendinitis as Dallas Wings Offense Surges
- WNBA News: “We’ve Got to Be Better Defensively”: Dallas Wings Overwhelmed by Las Vegas Aces’ 18 Threes, A’ja Wilson in Loss
- WNBA News: “It’s About How You Contribute to Winning”: Paige Bueckers Breaks Dallas Wings Rookie Assist Record, Fastest to 500 Points
- WNBA News: “I Saw That Dog in Her Today”: Paige Bueckers Shines but Dallas Wings’ Late Rally Falls Short vs. Los Angeles Sparks
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
