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With the 2025 WNBA season set to begin on Friday, May 16, it’s time to predict the WNBA award winners. Here’s what the race for Rookie of the Year (ROY) looks like for 2025:
Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings)
Last year, Caitlin Clark led a star-studded rookie class and won ROY. This season, the race begins with Paige Bueckers as the clear favorite.
Bueckers isn’t just a top pick; she’s a generational talent. She advanced to the Final Four in each of the four NCAA Tournaments in which she played before winning the national title in her final season at UConn.
During her senior campaign, she averaged 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. With Bueckers set to be paired in the Dallas Wings backcourt with superstar Arike Ogunbowale, expect her to have a monster season and be the frontrunner for ROY throughout the year.
Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm)
While Bueckers is in the early lead, plenty of other candidates could make a run at the award. Dominique Malonga, selected with the No. 2 pick by the Seattle Storm, has the potential to be the best rookie in year one.
She is just 19 years old and has spent her time playing overseas for ASVEL Féminin and Tarbes GB in France. In EuroCup Women competition this season, she was a walking double-double, averaging 18.5 points and 11 rebounds.
dominique malonga vs the sparks she didn’t dunk but…rim running, turnaround fadeaway, finish in the post through contact, pick and pop jumper…. pic.twitter.com/ZMPtGa1D44
— correlation (@nosyone4) May 11, 2025
Malonga has also already stated that she will play the entire WNBA season and will not represent France in EuroBasket Women, giving her a great chance to maximize her rookie year.
Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics)
Kiki Iriafen spent her final college season at USC and averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. A seasoned rookie who has the versatility necessary to play multiple positions gives her the ability to make an impact immediately.
In her final preseason game, she produced just like she did for the Trojans, scoring 12 points and grabbing six rebounds in Mystics’ loss against the Dream.
While Bueckers is the early favorite, we never know who will surprise us, how roles can change and how injuries can impact the ROY award. It’s Bueckers’ award to lose for now, but we’ll see how the race evolves and changes as the games begin.
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