{"id":95670,"date":"2025-08-20T01:37:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T01:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/95670\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T01:37:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T01:37:08","slug":"connecticut-sun-star-set-to-pass-caitlin-clark-paige-bueckers-in-elite-wnba-rookie-feat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/95670\/","title":{"rendered":"Connecticut Sun Star Set to Pass Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers in Elite WNBA Rookie Feat"},"content":{"rendered":"

The transition to the WNBA is one grueling path. If you ask A\u2019ja Wilson, it is the toughest in sports. You are in college one day, and the next, packing away your whole life. But that hasn\u2019t stopped rookies like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers from defining what it means to be living up to the hype. No lean patches, no \u2018big period of learning\u2019, just straight up dominance. However, one is proving, the adaptability transpires even beyond the large spotlights.<\/p>\n

Think 2025 rookie class, think Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and oh, Caitlin Clark for all the comparisons. But in the shadows, Connecticut Sun rookie Saniya Rivers has been quietly proving why her name deserves to be in the conversation.\u00a0 In twenty-five minutes a night, the six-foot-one guard is currently averaging around 8 points, 3 boards, 3 assists, a steal and a half, and a block per game.<\/p>\n

Rivers\u2019 lithe frame allows her great mobility, while her size makes her a verified PnR menace! So, does it really come as a surprise to you that she\u2019s on the verge of breaking multiple records in her rookie year? The Connecticut Sun guard is the only guard in the league to average a steal and a block per game this season, and because of her defensive prowess, she\u2019s earning DPOY comparisons!<\/p>\n

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@Trendy Hoop Stars on X pointed out just how impressive Rivers\u2019 stats are, and how they might lead to further All-WNBA defensive honors. \u201cTwo-time Defensive Player of the Year Alana Beard is the only guard in WNBA history to record at least 100 combined steals and blocks in her rookie season\u2014until now. Saniya Rivers is just 18 stocks away from becoming only the second guard ever to reach that milestone in her first year.\u201d\u00a0And with about a dozen games left in the season, that\u2019s a real possibility for Rivers.<\/p>\n

Two-time Defensive Player of the Year Alana Beard is the only guard in WNBA history to record at least 100 combined steals and blocks in her rookie season\u2014until now. Saniya Rivers is just 18 stocks away from becoming only the second guard ever to reach that milestone in her first\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/vjQe51xbxc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 I talk hoops \ud83c\udfc0 (@trendyhoopstars) August 17, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Saniya Rivers\u2019 rookie prowess is driving an important message out there: You can be successful without the spotlight. While everyone\u2019s camera flashes are directed towards Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, this young guard is focusing on hustling her way to the top. It hasn\u2019t been an easy path, returning to the league after losing her mother, but for Rivers, it\u2019s been all about resilience. She came back with one mindset:\u00a0\u201c\u2018Oh, I gotta do this thing now,\u201d\u00a0and she hasn\u2019t let down.<\/p>\n

With her surge, Rivers might just be adding to the already heated 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year race<\/a>.\u00a0Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron are the front-runners, but is there a clear winner between the two of them? What do league legends have to say?<\/p>\n

WNBA legend Candace Parker gives her insight on ROTY race<\/p>\n

The first step to stardom in the WNBA is the Rookie of the Year award, and many consider it a gateway to success. Last year, it was Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese, and this year? Paige Bueckers versus Sonia Citron. The UConn alumna has more than a few in her favor, thanks to her well-roundedness, leading her team in points, assists, steals, and blocks.<\/p>\n

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However, Sonia Citron quickly emerged as a contender for this award halfway through the season\u2013or, if you think about it, she emerged as Bueckers\u2019 newest rival. Averaging 15.2 and about 2.5 assists, the Washington Mystics rookie has shown everyone that she\u2019s there to hoop. Nothing more, nothing less.<\/p>\n

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via Imago<\/p>\n

Even though the Mystics guard is shooting lights out in August, making 57% of her attempts from 3, a lot of people are still pulling for Bueckers. Including WNBA legend Candace Parker on the newest episode of Post Moves with Aliyah Boston. \u201cEveryone that has to vote (on the award) is going to have a fun job doing that,\u201d Boston said. \u201cBoth Sonia and Paige are killing it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The LA Sparks legend held nothing back, proudly talking about how fun it is to see the two of them on the court. However, if she had a vote, it would only go in one direction. \u201cIt\u2019s just a matter of her being on the court, (it\u2019s) what all of us want to see,\u201d Parker said. \u201cI think I give the nod to Paige Bueckers for Rookie of the Year, but Sonia, make me change my ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

It will be interesting to see how this rookie race really turns out. Bueckers has all of the hype behind her while Sonia Citron looks like an underdog candidate that deserves a lot more appreciation than she\u2019s getting.<\/p>\n