The Wade Trophy, named for coaching legend Lily Margaret Wade, stands as the highest individual honor in NCAA Division I women’s basketball. First awarded to Carol Blazejowski of Montclair State in 1978, it recognizes the top player who demonstrates outstanding skill, leadership, and character.
Since 2001, it has served as the WBCA NCAA Division I Player of the Year award. Only academically eligible athletes chosen for the WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America Team qualify for consideration, making it a symbol of both athletic and academic excellence in the sport’s elite ranks.
The Wade Trophy Explained: Women’s Hoops’ Most Prestigious Honor
The Wade Trophy, first handed out in 1978, is the oldest national Player of the Year award in women’s college basketball. Coined in honor of Delta State’s legendary coach, Lily Margaret Wade, it is a form of recognition for players who are capable of being role models both in the sports industry and around the game.
The 2025 Wade Trophy belongs to Paige Bueckers! pic.twitter.com/sIRlIJxpgq
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) April 3, 2025
Originally created by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance—now known as SHAPE America—the award highlights leadership, character and impact.
In 2000-01, the WBCA partnered with the National Association of Girls and Women in Sport to oversee the selection process, discontinuing its own Division I Player of the Year award. By 2016-17, the WBCA took full ownership of the Wade Trophy. A committee of coaches, media, and administrators now determines the winner.
Candidates appear on the “Wade Watch” list compiled at the season start, with additions made throughout. The recipient is selected from the 10-member WBCA Coaches’ All-America team.
Recent honorees include Caitlin Clark (2023, 2024), Aliyah Boston (2022), and Sabrina Ionescu (2019, 2020), all standout figures in modern women’s hoops.
Paige Bueckers Wins 2025 Wade Trophy, Capping Standout Season at UConn
UConn redshirt senior Paige Bueckers has been named the 2025 recipient of the Wade Trophy, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced Thursday. Presented annually to the WBCA NCAA Division I Player of the Year, the award—now in its 48th year—is the oldest national honor for women’s college basketball players.
Bueckers has been a catalyst for the Huskies, propelling them towards another NCAA Final Four stage of the game. The native of Hopkins, Minnesota, is chipping in with 20.1 points and 4.8 assists and can show off a fantastic shooting split of .543 from the field, .432 from deep, and .888 from the line. She is ranked at the second place nationally with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.49.
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In postseason play, her numbers have climbed—posting 26.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.4 steals per game with a .574/.514/.889 shooting line across the BIG EAST and NCAA Tournaments.
With 2,406 career points (third in UConn history) and 556 assists (ninth), Bueckers joins an elite group of Huskies to claim the Wade Trophy, including Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi.
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