Dallas Wings standout Paige Bueckers just hit a milestone achievement to cap off her stellar first campaign in the WNBA. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Bueckers was announced as this year’s WNBA Rookie of the Year. Being the No. 1 pick in the 2025 Draft, she did not disappoint and finished as the best player from her class in her first season.
With this, @yahoosports on Instagram uploaded a video of Bueckers doing the traditional runaway entrance on The Jennifer Hudson Show. But what surprised her the most was that at the end of the routine, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert was waiting for her with the ROTY trophy. Engelbert shared a few words to commemorate the awarding.
“WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert surprised Paige Bueckers with her Rookie of the Year trophy during her appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show 🏆 (via JHudShow/X),” @yahoosports on Instagram captioned.
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College basketball fans online were quick to draw comparisons between Bueckers, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, and Chicago Sky stalwart Angel Reese.
“She everything y’all thought CC was,” one fan wrote.
“Yo @angelreese5 that’s how you dress! That’s how you accept an award without inflated ego, without unnecessary diva attitude…This is called humble,” another fan explained.
“Literally everything people think CC is,” a user shared.
Other users congratulated Bueckers on her standout rookie campaign, as they felt that she deserved the nod.
“Off to a great start, won a natty chip last year and was first pick in the draft and was an All-Star reserve and now, ROTY,” one fan pointed out.
“Good for her, knew she was going to win it,” another fan posted.
“Well deserved, Paige. One heck of a rookie year,” another user said.
“Kobe is smiling down right,” a fan claimed.
For her first year in the league, Bueckers was handed the keys to the Wings’ game plan to the tune of averaging 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest. She led coach Chris Koclanes’ squad to an overall record of 10-34 and was not able to qualify for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs.
Read More: WNBA Playoff Picture 2025: Full List Of Matchups, Top Rivalries, and More As Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese Miss Out
Former NBA Player Quentin Richardson Reacts To Paige Bueckers Receiving ROTY Award
Among the several supportive comments for Paige Bueckers and her winning this year’s Rookie of the Year Award was former NBA player Quentin Richardson. In the comments section of the video uploaded by @yahoosports on Instagram, Richardson dropped four fire emojis to hype Bueckers up for her milestone.
Richardson was a 13-year NBA veteran, playing for the LA Clippers, Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, and the Orlando Magic during his time. He won the 2005 NBA Three-Point Contest during the All-Star Weekend.
Also Read: “Way Better Than Caitlin Clark”: Fans Don’t Hold Back As Paige Bueckers Breaks Candace Parker’s Record In Stellar Outing
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