WNBA Rookie of the Year- Top Five Favorites to Win ROTY!

Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron (22) dribbles upcourt ahead of Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) during the first half at College Park Center.

Image Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

As the 2025 WNBA regular season races toward its finale scheduled on September 11, there is a growing buzz around the seasonal awards. One of them, the WNBA Rookie of the Year race, is stealing the spotlight, with names such as Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron leading the charge.

Both debutants have had remarkable seasons despite their teams’ poor seasons. Though the Wings are most likely to end the season in the bottom spot, Bueckers has established herself as a reliable player with her skillset and athletic excellence. Ever since the beginning, several players, pundits and fans have been advocating for her to win the title. But, she’s not alone in the race.

Here are the standout rookies, alongside Bueckers, vying to etch their names in WNBA history.

Paige Bueckers

On top of the list is Paige Bueckers, the Dallas Wings rookie who has been leading since the preseason. Bueckers opened as a -275 favorite to bag the WNBA Rookie of the Year, becoming the second consecutive No. 1 pick after Caitlin Clark. As per BetMGM, she is -5000 favorite to win the ROTY. Bueckers appeared in 34 of the Wings games, and though the team has had a poor season, the 23-year-old is one of the most promising players in the league.

Sonia Citron

Contesting Paige Bueckers isn’t a small task, but Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron is the name that can do it. A third overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Citron is averaging around 15 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. Though the Mystics couldn’t make the playoffs, Citron has proven herself as an efficient player. She is among the top five across almost all statistical categories for the rookies, which suggests that Citron has already cemented herself as a star player.

Kiki Iriafen

Another Washington Mystics rookie has made it to the list of favorites to win ROTY. Iriafen was drafted fourth in the 2025 Draft, and has made an immediate impact. After a hot start to the season, Iriafen slowed down, mainly because she was up against some of the best players in the league every game. Currently, she is averaging 13.2 points, 1.6 assists, while leading the rookies in rebounding with an average of 8.7 rebounds per game.

Janelle Salaun

Golden Staten Valkyries rookie Janelle Salaun is the next name on the list! Though she is chasing an uncatchable Bueckers in the race, Salaun has strengthened her credentials for a spot among the top favorites. Salaun has played a key role in guiding the Valkyries to the postseason in their debut season. She is averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 34 games. Moreover, Salaun is second in scoring and fifth in rebounding among rookies for the 2025 season. Even if she doesn’t take the trophy home, the 24-year-old has already booked herself a top spot in the WNBA All-Rookie team.

Dominique Malonga

HISTORY FOR THE ROOK 🌟

With a career-high 14 PTS & 10 REB vs. the Chicago Sky, Dominique Malonga (19y 250d) becomes the youngest player in WNBA History to record a double-double, surpassing Liz Cambage (19y 290d). #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/yrbfh9zQf1

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 25, 2025

Seattle Storm’s Dominique Malonga, who is also currently the youngest player in the league, sits in the fourth spot of the list. The second overall draft pick entered the league with a rare combination of skills. Her traditional center skills combined with ball-handling and shooting abilities, make her a talent powerhouse. She is averaging 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.