WNBA Rookies Watch – The first two weeks of the WNBA regular season

The first two weeks of the WNBA regular season are now over and it is time to recap the first edition of the 2025 WNBA Rookies Watch. I started the Rookies Watch two years ago when Aliyah Boston was a rookie and continued it last year when Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were rookies. This year, it’s all about Paige Bueckers and her long-awaited arrival of finally becoming a WNBA player. I’ll track her performance throughout the season as well as several other rookies who have stood out in their first year. I’ll release these WNBA Rookies Watch on a bi-weekly basis. This is simply because some rookies won’t get playing time or will get limited playing time due to the depth of their rosters. I need time to look at which rookies are standing out and which rookies deserve the attention. I look at the rookies performance, their playing time and will pick the top five rookies who played well during those two weeks. It’s hard making a WNBA roster, especially with the lack of roster space and size.

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*Note – These are games played from May 16th, 2025 to May 28th, 2025*

As I discussed in the opening paragraph, I took a look at the rookies who got quality playing time and played well in their first two weeks of the WNBA regular season. The five rookies who stood out were Paige Bueckers (2025 #1 draft pick), Sonia Citron (2025 3rd overall pick), Kiki Iriafen (2025 4th overall pick), Saniya Rivers (2025 8th overall pick) and Monique Akoa Makani (undrafted). I’ve ranked them below. Enjoy!

1. Kiki Iriafen – Washington Mystics

Kiki Iriafen is off to a solid start in her first two weeks of being a WNBA player. In just her first six games, she’s playing 29 minutes per game. She’s averaging a double-double in points and rebounds per game (14.2 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game). She’s currently shooting 51.6% from the floor and 80.8% from the free-throw line. Her best game so far was when she played 31 minutes and finished the game with a double-double performance of 17 points and 14 rebounds. She is currently a starter for the Mystics and has helped her team to a 3-3 record. She is the best rookie in the first two weeks of the WNBA regular season.

2. Sonia Citron – Washington Mystics

Sonia Citron is also off to a solid start in her first two weeks as a fellow member of the Washington Mystics. Alongside Kiki Iriafen, she is a fellow member in the starting lineup. She’s currently averaging 15 points per game, 4 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game. She’s playing 30.8 minutes per game. She helps the Mystics and helps her fellow rookie teammate in securing victories. She’s also shooting 50.8% from the floor and 40.8% from three. Her best game was on the road in Las Vegas in which she scored 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and shot 54.5% from the field and 66.7% from three in 36 minutes. She’s been the second best rookie so far in the first two weeks of the WNBA regular season.

3. Paige Bueckers – Dallas Wings

Paige Bueckers got off to a rocky start in her first two weeks as a WNBA player. In the first five games, in three of those games, she shot 30% from the field or less. As the #1 overall draft pick, she comes into the league with high expectations. However, she still managed to score in double-figures in every game and is currently averaging 14.6 points per game, 6.4 assists per game and 4.6 rebounds per game. She is playing 33.6 minutes per game. Her best game was on the road against Connecticut, where she was a college superstar. She finished the game with 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. She shot 80% from the field. The Dallas Wings have gotten off to a slow start and are currently 1-4.

4. Monique Akoa Makani – Phoenix Mercury

Monique Akoa Makani went undrafted and signed a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury before making the cut for the final roster. She has played overseas and has been a quality guard for several overseas teams. She is in the starting lineup for the Mercury and plays 21.6 minutes per game. She is currently averaging 10.6 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game and 2 assists per game. She is also shooting 52.2% from three and 50% from the field. Her best game was at home against Chicago. She played 22 minutes and finished the game with 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. She’s helped the Mercury get off to a good start as they are currently 4-1.

5. Saniya Rivers – Connecticut Sun

Saniya Rivers got off to a hot start in the first couple of games of the WNBA regular season before hitting a slump. She’s currently averaging 8 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per game. She’s playing 26 minutes per game. She’s currently shooting the ball poorly (37.5% from the field and 20% from three) but she does try to help her fellow teammates and she’s doing the best she can as her team is currently win-less with a record of 0-5. Her best game was against Minnesota on the road in which she played 28 minutes and scored 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks and shot 45.5% from the field.

Honourable mention: Sarah Ashlee Barker – LA Sparks

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That wraps up the first edition of the 2025 WNBA Rookies Watch. These five rookies stood out and we shall see how they hold up during these next two weeks of the WNBA regular season. The Commissioner’s Cup tournament starts on June 1st and I’ll have a second Rookies Watch post up on June 13th to see which rookies shine.