As we reach the final weeks of the WNBA regular season, a significant share of attention is centered around the potential 2025 Rookie of the Year. The battle is clearly between the sensational first-round pick, Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings, and the clutch New York-born rising star, Sonia Citron of the Washington Mystics.
With the verdict closing in, WNBA fans have also taken to social media to express their opinions on who should receive the award.
Where Do Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron Stand in the Rookie Of The Year Race?
Bueckers has taken the league by storm in her rookie season. Although the 9-26 Dallas Wings are on a poor run, it did not impact her performance, as she’s breaking several rookie records and having one of the best maiden seasons in WNBA history.
She’s now the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 500+ points and 150+ assists, and she’s done it in just 28 games.
To break it down further, in those 28 games, she’s scored at least 20 points in half of those appearances, speaking to her consistency. Statistically, she’s averaging 18.8 points and 5.4 assists on a resolute 45.8% shooting for the season. She also now holds the franchise’s rookie assist record.
Bueckers is already one of the best all-around players in the league. She’s remarkably skilled off the dribble, with a smooth stroke pulling up from the mid-range. She can drive the lane and force contact. She has terrific vision and active hands to force steals.
Citron, the third overall pick for the Mystics, has dramatically risen up the rookie rankings since the All-Star break. Although not particularly close statistically to Bueckers, averaging 15.2 and 2.5 assists, she’s been in a terrific rich vein of form of late, averaging 19 points on 50.6% shooting, 57% from three, for August.
Another nod to her candidacy is that she’s ridiculously clutch. She’s had multiple clutch buckets this year to help her team win, and indeed, she leads all rookies in clutch points and is fifth in the league in that department.
Washington has a 16-18 record, and they have a chance to pull to within a game below .500 as they face the moribund Connecticut Suns next. Citron, known as “The silent assassin,” is silently and stealthily making a late push for the rookie of the year award.
Who Do the Fans Pick Among Bueckers and Citron?
One fan broke the debate down astutely (which X account WNBA Central agreed with): “Paige fans think it’s Paige and Sonia isn’t even close. Sonia fans think it’s Sonia with Paige a close 2nd. The true answer is it’s Paige w/ Sonia a close 2nd.”
Who is the front-runner for Rookie of the Year? pic.twitter.com/gjUTDSk5XY
— WNBACentral (@WNBACentral_) August 18, 2025
However, another fan cut straight to the chase, and doesn’t believe it’s a debate: “This isn’t a question, it’s Paige Bueckers. Look at the stats.”
This isn’t a question, it’s Paige Bueckers. Look at the stats.
— entertainment enthusiast (@ttheenthusiast) August 18, 2025
Indeed, the overwhelming majority of replies under Central’s question asking who wins between the two players were for Bueckers.
One comment was: “Paige easily with what she’s doing.” And another wrote: “It’s Paige, not even a debate.”
Another pointed out that Bueckers has the edge over Citron in the vast majority of categories:
However, there are a few fans in Citron’s camp: One fan wrote about her clutch performances, “Sonia took back the lead. You can’t deny what she’s doing anymore.”
Another agreed, pointing to the fact that Citron leads all rookies in fourth quarter and clutch points, which they believed should be accounted for. Along the same lines, one comment was, “Citron has made the Mystics a playoff team, the number 1 pick hasn’t done the same, and that has to count for something.”
There’s still time for Citron to close the gap further, but as it stands, Bueckers still holds the lead in the rookie of the year race with fans due to her record-breaking rookie season. However, if the Mystics make it to the playoffs, the chatter around Citron’s bid is sure to increase.
