Paige Bueckers named WNBA Rookie of the Month, earns All-Star starting nod

In a testament to her phenomenal start to her professional career, the league officially announced on Thursday that Bueckers has been named the WNBA Rookie of the Month for June. This prestigious honor marks the first time a Dallas Wings newcomer has claimed the award since 2019, a clear indicator of the immediate and profound impact Bueckers has had on the franchise.

Adding to an already historic month, the 6-foot guard also solidified her status as one of the league's brightest stars by becoming the sole rookie selected as a starter for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, an announcement made by the league on Monday. This dual recognition firmly plants Bueckers at the forefront of the WNBA's exciting new generation.

Bueckers rewrites the Rookie record books

Paige Bueckers' statistical output in June was nothing short of extraordinary, placing her not just among the top rookies, but among the league's elite overall players. Across seven games, she averaged a staggering 21.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.9 blocks, all while shooting an efficient .475 from the field and an exceptional .929 from the free-throw line.

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Her scoring average ranked third among all WNBA players and led all guards, while her steals placed her ninth in the entire league. Perhaps most impressively, Bueckers was the only player in the WNBA to average at least 20 points and five assists in June, showcasing her unique dual-threat ability as both a scorer and a playmaker. Among her fellow rookies, she led in both scoring and assist averages, and ranked second in steals.

The highlight of her June campaign came on the 11th, when she exploded for a career-high 35 points against the Phoenix Mercury. This performance not only stood as the second-highest point total by any player in June but was also the lone 30-point showing by any rookie in the league this year, underscoring her singular offensive prowess.

All-Star Status and Historic Achievements

Bueckers' remarkable June culminated in her selection as a 2025 WNBA All-Star Game starter. Her weighted score, a combination of Fan, Media, and Player rankings, was the highest among all guards, solidifying the widespread recognition of her talent and immediate impact. She joins an elite group of just ten rookies in WNBA history to be named an All-Star starter.

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Beyond the monthly award and All-Star nod, Bueckers etched her name into the WNBA's record books with a series of significant milestones:

• First Player in League History with 25/5/2/2/0: On June 27 against Indiana, she achieved a stat line of 25+ points, 5+ assists, 2+ steals, 2+ blocks, and zero turnovers – an unprecedented feat in WNBA history.
• Fastest to 200/50/50: On June 22 against the Mystics, she became the fastest player in league history to reach 200 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists.
• Joins Caitlin Clark in Exclusive 35-Point Club: Her 35-point outburst against Phoenix on June 11, which included 5+ made 3-pointers, made her only the second rookie in WNBA history to achieve this, joining Caitlin Clark (who accomplished it in September 2024).
• Franchise Royalty: She became the fourth rookie in Dallas Wings franchise history to record 30+ points in a single game, joining the esteemed company of Arike Ogunbowale, Glory Johnson, and Odyssey Sims. Her 35-point game also tied for the second-highest scoring performance by a rookie in franchise history.
• Assists Leader: In just 13 games, Bueckers cracked the top 10 in franchise history for most assists in a rookie season, showcasing her elite playmaking ability early in her career.

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A Beacon for the Dallas Wings

Bueckers' Rookie of the Month honor places her alongside notable Wings franchise alumni who also received the award, including Arike Ogunbowale (June, August 2019), Allisha Gray (May, June 2017), and Odyssey Sims (July, August 2014).

On the season, Bueckers continues to lead all rookies in scoring (18.4 PPG), assists (5.8 APG), and steals (1.85 SPG), while also ranking fourth in rebounds (4.4 RPG) and blocks (0.92 BPG). Her well-rounded game and consistent high-level performance have quickly made her a cornerstone for the Dallas Wings, injecting new excitement and competitiveness into the team.

The Dallas Wings will look to continue their impressive run with Bueckers leading the charge as they face the Phoenix Mercury tonight at 7 p.m. in Arlington. All eyes will be on this phenom as she continues to forge a path that promises to redefine expectations for rookies in the WNBA.

SportsLigue