We have now entered the final two weeks of the WNBA regular season which means that it is now time to unveil my picks for who I believe should be on the All-Rookie Team for the 2025 season along with my choice for the Rookie of the Year. The WNBA regular season ends on September 11th. This class of rookies is different in a sense of there were more injuries to their fellow team mates so more were able to receive quality playing minutes as well as a new expansion team so rookies could get an opportunity to play.
This is my third season of writing WNBA Rookies Watch and you can read last season’s final WNBA Rookies Watch post here. It was tough to pick the top 5 rookies who performed well throughout the year regardless of their team’s position to be a playoff or a lottery team, but I based my picks on value, production and ability to be a good WNBA player. I also listed my choice on who I believe should be the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
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2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team
1. Paige Bueckers, G – Dallas Wings
The minute Paige Bueckers has stepped up on the floor, she has delivered. She has tried her best to make the Dallas Wings competitive and although the Wings are headed for the lottery, her rookie season is impressive. She is a scoring machine and she does it in a variety of ways. She’s already scored over 40 points in a one point loss to the LA Sparks. Because of her scoring ability, she commands double and triple teams. She’s a good passer and has had games in which she’s had double-doubles in points and assists. She deserves a spot on the 2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team because of her ability to score and be a threat to WNBA defenses in her rookie season as well as be a good passer.
2. Sonia Citron, G – Washington Mystics
Sonia Citron has been a tremendous rookie for the Washington Mystics franchise. She was named to the WNBA All-Star Game alongside Kiki Iriafen. She’s played starter level minutes all season long (30 minutes) and is currently shooting very well from the field and from three-point range. She’s been a consistent scoring guard and only has a few bad games so far in her rookie season. She deserves a spot on the 2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team because she’s been a reliable guard and has stepped up anytime her team needed to. Not to mention, she’s an excellent shooter.
3. Kiki Iriafen, F – Washington Mystics
Another rookie on the Washington Mystics franchise who deserves to be on the All-Rookie Team is Kiki Iriafen. She’s a forward who has an excellent presence in the paint with the ability to score and rebound. She has recorded many double-doubles (points/rebounds) in her rookie season. Alongside her rookie teammate, she has tried her best to help the Mystics win games before they were officially eliminated from playoff contention with good defense. She deserves a spot on the 2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team because of her rebounding, defense and her ability to score and shoot well from mid-range.
4. Leila Lacan, G – Connecticut Sun
Leila Lacan has performed well in her rookie season as a member of the Connecticut Sun. Although the team was eliminated early from official playoff contention, she’s given them good quality minutes and gotten better as the season has progressed. Her impact to be able to defend by forcing turnovers and creating steals as well as being a good passer does not go unnoticed. She’s also had some good games in which she scored well. She deserves a spot on the 2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team because of her ability to be a good defender, quality passer and scorer.
5. Janelle Salaün, F – Golden State Valkyries
In their first year of existence, the Golden State Valkyries have found a promising rookie in Janelle Salaün. She’s given them a steady presence as a starting forward and provided scoring and rebounding when needed. Her team is currently among the teams fighting for a playoff spot and that’s because the team plays excellent defense and she takes advantage of that. She’s able to get her shots and she may not always have the best shooting nights, but she scores and tries to rebound well among a team that is playoff worthy. She deserves the final spot on the 2025 WNBA All-Rookie Team because she’s consistently trying and playing her best on a good team in her rookie season.
Honourable mention: Saniya Rivers, G – Connecticut Sun
2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year: Paige Bueckers
Paige Bueckers deserves this award because she’s played at a higher level and did so for a large majority of the season. She is worthy of this award because while some of her fellow rookies had great seasons, she played at a superstar level. A level so high that she was named a WNBA All-Star starter in her rookie season. That’s hard to accomplish in a league filled with great veterans, superstars and stars.
That wraps up this season’s edition of WNBA Rookies Watch. Thanks to blog subscribers, blog visitors and occasional viewers and visitors who read previous years and this year’s WNBA Rookies Watch posts this season.
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