Paige Bueckers Making Air-Tight Case for WNBA Rookie of the Year
Paige Bueckers Making Air-Tight Case for WNBA Rookie of the Year originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The number of recognizable players with superstar talent in the WNBA is rising every year, as the league and the sport continue to reach new heights of popularity and visibility.
Advertisement
But while the 2024 draft class of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese had at least some competitive balance at the top, 2025 has been the year of guard Paige Bueckers.
After recovering from an ACL tear during her second collegiate season in 2021-22, Bueckers rebounded to lead the Connecticut Huskies to a National Title in March -- the prestigious program's first championship in nearly a decade.
Approximately two months later, the Dallas Wings made Bueckers the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft. Since joining the franchise, Bueckers has stood out as easily the most dynamic offensive player of the league's newest rookie class.
"Paige Bueckers has dropped 20+ points in back-to-back games, leading the Wings to two straight wins," the "SportsCenter" X account posted on Friday night, June 20. "She now has four 20-point games this season. The rest of the rookie class combined? Also four 😳."
Advertisement
Bueckers is averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals across 10 games played, missing four contests due to a concussion and an illness earlier in the year.
The Wings have played 14 games in 2025 and currently own a record of 3-11. However, Dallas is now officially on its first winning streak of the campaign.
Bueckers' career-high point total came against the Phoenix Mercury on June 11, when she poured in 35 points in a 93-80 road loss.
Approximately 30% of the way into her rookie season, Bueckers is the clear frontrunner to win WNBA Rookie of the Year -- assuming she remains healthy for the majority of campaign.
Advertisement
Related: Paige Bueckers Made Noticeable Wings Change Since Concussion
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Houston Rockets Signing Three Players
Houston Rockets Signing Three Players originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Houston Rockets have been one of the busiest teams in the NBA. They have acquired Kevin Durant in free agency as well as signed their free agents. The Houston Rockets intend to sign their free agents Jae'Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, and Jeff Green on new contracts to bring them all back for next season, sources tell ESPN. In 2020, Tate signed his first NBA contract. As a rookie with the Houston Rockets, he made an immediate impression starting over 50 games while averaging over 11.3 ppg and earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He hasn't played a lot of minutes in recent seasons but he is still a valuable member of the team. Advertisement Holiday is comfortable handling the ball or ceding playmaking to teammates when needed, allowing flexible backcourt alignments. Even off the bench, he's known to stay prepared and engaged which makes him part of Houston's "stay ready" bench identity. Holiday will be needed to give starter Fred VanVleet a breather as he has been effective and efficient as a backup. Green's legacy with the Rockets is defined less by numbers and more by impact. He has helped bridge eras in Houston as a veteran presence during rebuilds, experienced leadership during diagnosis phases, and still-consistent production when needed. Many consider him a player-coach on and off the court. All three players will continue to add depth to an already deep Rockets team. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Broncos Safety Keidron Smith's Roster Hopes Hanging by a Thread
Broncos Safety Keidron Smith's Roster Hopes Hanging by a Thread originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Once an undrafted fringe player, Keidron Smith surprised many by making the Denver Broncos' 53-man roster after a strong preseason in 2024, contributing on special teams during the regular season. Advertisement He was waived after playing in nine games, ultimately landing on the practice squad, but has another shot at making the Broncos' roster in training camp this year. According to Christopher Hart of Mile High Report, Smith is battling with several other players for a roster spot at the safety position, and he may be in danger of being cut. "Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones, and P.J. Locke are the three players I feel are the safe locks for the roster. That leaves five players fighting for two spots," Hart said. "Standing out on special teams and making the most of his time in defensive reps during the preseason will be paramount in order to make the team." Denver Broncos safety Keidron Smith (43) recovers fumble in the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Empower Field at Mile Chenoy-Imagn Images Hart acknowledges Smith's time in college at the University of Kentucky as extremely productive and credits him for shining in the preseason, snagging multiple interceptions, as a main reason why he made the roster last year. Advertisement "Without question, the training camp battles for the backup spots on the roster on the backend of the team's defense will be some of the most competitive," Hart said. Smith's journey is just another example of how tough it is to make it in the NFL. As Denver heads into training camp, he must prove he has more than just the flashes he showed to make the active roster this season. Related: Broncos Newest Addition Expected to Get Bulk of Snaps in Offense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Oliver Giroud admits he "didn't fit" LAFC, but is eager to "challenge myself one more time" at Lille
Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud (9) shoots during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud, center right top, exits during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud controls the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud controls the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud (9) shoots during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud, center right top, exits during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) Los Angeles FC forward Olivier Giroud controls the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong) LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olivier Giroud admits his brief tenure at Los Angeles FC was disappointing, although he will cherish the friendships and the trophy he gathered during his year in Major League Soccer. The 38-year-old striker is eager to play once again in France after 13 years away, and he confirmed Sunday night that he will join Lille to take on one more challenge in his storied career. Advertisement The top goal-scorer in the history of the French national team said farewell to LAFC by going scoreless and coming off with what he called tendon pain after 60 minutes in a 1-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Giroud had a golden opportunity to score in front of goal early in the second half, but volleyed a pass from Denis Bouanga over the bar. Giroud was still given a standing ovation by the BMO Stadium fans who stayed firmly behind him while he scored just five goals in 38 matches for their club. 'I wish I could have had a bigger impact on the team, on the results,' Giroud said. 'At the end, it was a good experience. Obviously I can't stay longer, so I need a new chapter. I need to challenge myself one more time, and when I had the opportunity to come back (to) France, I just grabbed it. I wish nothing but the best for the club. I tried hard. I tried my best.' Giroud was under contract until the end of the current MLS season, but LAFC and Giroud mutually agreed to part ways so he could leave on a free transfer. He confirmed he will soon join Lille, which finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season to earn a Europa League place. Advertisement 'I think the French people are happy that Paul Pogba, myself are coming back in the French league,' Giroud said of his Monaco-bound friend and teammate on France's World Cup-winning team in 2018. 'If you would have asked me a few years before, I would have answered you that was not the plan to come back, but you never know, and never say no,' Giroud added. 'I think this club ticked a lot of boxes for me and for my family. (I) hope that I can be helpful for the team, being a leader and a link-up player on the field, but (also) off the pitch between the youngsters and the staff. I'm excited because we also play Europa League. It's very positive. It's a big club in France, Lille. Top five.' Giroud hasn't played in Ligue 1 since 2012, when he left Montpellier for the start of his famed six-year tenure at Arsenal. He subsequently won the Champions League and the Europa League with Chelsea before winning Serie A with AC Milan. Giroud moved to LAFC in July 2024, but he now acknowledges he never fit into the system played by LAFC and its championship-winning coach, Steve Cherundolo — who is also leaving the club this fall. Advertisement 'If you know football, you understand that in one sense, yeah, I didn't really fit to maybe the game style, I would say,' Giroud said. 'Just being honest. I try to adapt. I try my best one more time, but I can't do something I'm not used to (doing) and I don't know how to do.' Cherundolo favors a transition game emphasizing counterattacks and play up the sides, which doesn't mesh with Giroud's 38-year-old pace up the middle. In a scenario familiar across MLS, LAFC struggled to find a playmaker capable of providing service to an elite goal-scorer like Giroud, who excels on crosses in the box. Giroud was relegated to a substitute role in most matches despite wearing the No. 9 shirt, and he made a major impact in only a handful of outings — most memorably his goal in LAFC's victory in the U.S. Open Cup final last year. 'We did not use the cross a lot, which is my main strength in the box,' Giroud said. 'And yeah, I had the feeling that we would play a lot in transition, so it's not the best for me. ... I know what I can bring to the team, but I know what I can't do also. I think it's time to say goodbye now, and one more time to wish all the best to the boys because I love them. I will miss LA, but on the other hand, I'm really excited to have another challenge.' ___ AP soccer:
