The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup is over. The All-Star Game is over. Half the season is in the books, and now it’s a run to the playoffs—and, of course, the title. While the MVP race is far more complicated, the Rookie of the Year race feels comparatively easier to assess, with two clear frontrunners: Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron.
And we already know why, right? Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft by the Dallas Wings, has made an immediate impact, delivering standout performances including consecutive double-digit games, a 35-point explosion, and becoming the eighth rookie to be named an All-Star starter. But Citron isn’t far behind.
The No. 3 overall pick by the Washington Mystics has also translated her draft billing into consistent production. She posted a remarkable debut with 19 points on 6-for-7 shooting, and later recorded 27 points and 11 rebounds in a single game, making her the first Mystics rookie ever to log 25-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in one contest.
So, both players are firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation, with Bueckers drawing early preference in WNBA GM surveys, but Citron quickly closing the gap with her steady scoring, All-Star selection, and leadership on the floor.
Statistical Comparison – Citron and Bueckers
Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings)
Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics)
Games Played
25
31
Points per Game
18.5
14.8
Rebounds per Game
4
4.5
Assists per Game
5.3
2.4
Steals per Game
1.8
1.3
Field Goal %
45.9%
47.1%
3-Point %
~34.1%
~38.8%
Free Throw %
~86.8%
~86%
Games Played and Team Impact – Citron and Bueckers
Well, yes, despite playing just 25 games, PB is head of Citron in many metrics, but let’s make this comparison fairer by enlisting their first 12 games. Surprisingly, even then, PB tops the chart by dishing out 5.3 assists per game, while taking more field goals per game than Citron. Even from the foul line, she’s even more efficient, hitting 85.1% of her free throws.
That said, Citron has her own strengths. While Bueckers makes 6.7 field goals per game compared to Citron’s 4.9, the Mystics rookie is more dangerous from deep, attempting 4.3 three-pointers per game and making 1.5, while Bueckers takes 3.3 and makes 1.0.
Even in True Shooting Percentage, an advanced stat that factors in the added value of three-pointers, Sonia has the edge at 60% compared to Bueckers’ 54%. Not every lead is a positive one, though—Citron commits 2.1 turnovers per game, while Bueckers averages 2.7.
So yes, PB excels in both the last 12 games and even over the full 25 games this season as she leads in scoring, steals, and assists. Honestly, the margin between the two rookies is razor-thin, setting up what could be a tough decision for voters, especially since they’ve played different numbers of games yet remain neck-and-neck statistically.
But the main difference between the two is their playing style, though. That helps Citron to appear in 31 games this season, averaging heavy minutes—about 32.6 per contest—as a key contributor in Washington’s rebuilding lineup. Paige Bueckers, meanwhile, has taken the court in 24 games and continues to be the primary offensive engine for Dallas.
Aug 10, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) steals the ball from Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) during the second half at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
And all this difference comes up as for Washington, Citron benefits from a deeper, more balanced roster, allowing her to flourish within a team-oriented system. She’s part of a well-integrated rookie core that’s helping push the Mystics toward competitiveness, guiding them to a 14–17 record, enough to sit fourth in the Eastern Conference and not far off from playoff contention.
Bueckers, on the other hand, stands as the focal point for offense, shouldering a heavy scoring and playmaking load amid a leaner supporting cast. And despite the team’s struggles, she’s consistently produced standout performances and remains a bright spot in their rebuilding efforts. She’s enduring a difficult campaign with an 8–24 record, residing near the bottom of the Western Conference.
So while Citron’s consistency and availability have been key for a Mystics team showing promise in the East, Bueckers, while brilliant, is navigating greater on-court responsibility as she tries to elevate a struggling Wings roster.
Clutch Plays and Game-Winning Moments – Citron and Bueckers
When it comes to clutch moments, neither player takes a back seat. Just consider on June 22, 2025, Citron exploded for a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, capping the performance with a go-ahead corner three-pointer with 12.2 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Mystics to a 91–88 victory over the Wings.
And this iconic moment made her the first Mystics rookie ever to log 25-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in a game and extended her streak to 14 straight double-digit scoring games to start her career. But while the Wings lost that game, Bueckers didn’t lose hope as in the same matchup, she drilled a catch-and-shoot three-pointer off an inbounds pass, tying the game at 84 with just 11 seconds left in regulation.
And this? It was just one of many moments where Bueckers shone under pressure. That’s because she recently added 17 points to lead the Wings while moving into a tie for fourth place in WNBA history with Ruthie Bolton for her 25th straight double-digit scoring game as a rookie. Well, it’s something even Caitlin Clark hasn’t accomplished in her ideal rookie year. So, you know the kind of impact both rooks offer, right? But we’re not done yet!
Defensive Contributions and Versatility – Citron and Bueckers
On defense, Sonia Citron and Paige Bueckers bring very different strengths to the floor—each effective in her own way. Citron averages 1.3 steals and 0.4 blocks per game over 31 games, combining solid perimeter defense with occasional rim protection. Her defensive rating of 100 speaks to her discipline and impact within Washington’s well-structured defensive system. She thrives on smart rotations, staying in position, and making life difficult for opposing guards without overextending herself. Well, she also has a 12.1% defensive rebound rate.
Bueckers, meanwhile, plays with a higher-risk, higher-reward defensive style. She leads all rookies with 1.8 steals per game—putting her among the league leaders overall—and adds 0.6 blocks per game, an unusually high mark for a guard. Even her defensive rating sits at 105.2, higher than Citron’s, but it also reflects her role on a rebuilding Dallas team that leans heavily on her defensive energy.
She guards multiple positions, disrupts passing lanes, and provides hustle plays that can swing momentum in her team’s favor. So the contrast between the two is clear, as while PB operates as a defensive catalyst, often tasked with sparking stops through individual playmaking, Citron’s game is about efficiency and reliability.
As of now, Bueckers holds a slight edge, but Citron isn’t far behind—and with more games left to play, the Rookie of the Year race remains wide open. After all, in the WNBA, things can change fast—remember last year when Angel Reese’s injury shifted the entire race?
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