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The 2025 WNBA season delivered one of the deepest rookie classes in recent memory. An infusion of global talent and elite collegiate stars reshaping the face of the WNBA trajectory. From Paige Bueckers’ electric all-around play to Sonia Citron’s two-way brilliance, these newcomers did not merely adjust; they excelled. The season’s mix of European prodigies, NCAA legends, and international power forwards demonstrated how much the WNBA’s global pipeline has evolved. Each player brought a distinct personality and style, from the crafty playmaking of guards like Leila Lacan to the rim-running ferocity of Dominique Malonga. Together, they showcased a future defined by versatility and fearless competitiveness.​

Rookie integration is never easy in a league stacked with veterans skilled in reading every angle of defensive rotations. Yet many of these first-year players put up spectacular individual performances while earning their teams’ trust in crucial moments. The Dallas Wings found a new WNBA MVP caliber star in Bueckers while the Washington Mystics landed a dynamic duo of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen to build their franchise around moving into the future.

As the dust settles on an unforgettable 2025 season punctuated by elite rookie play, it’s time to spotlight those who rose highest. From overlooked draft selections who blossomed into critical rotation players to lottery picks fulfilling their promise, these rookies made good on months of anticipation. 

Here is a look at the Top 10 Best WNBA Rookies of 2025, including two deserving honorable mentions who just missed the list.

Honorable Mention

Luisa Geiselsoder

Team: Dallas Wings

Position: Center

WNBA Stats: 6.9 pPG/ 4.8 RPG/ 1.6 APG

Another talented rookie missing the Top 10 WNBA Rookies 2025 Rankings list is the Luisa Geiselsoder of the Dallas Wings.

The Wings reloaded last off-season adding multiple talented rookies including Geiselsoder as well as top overall pick Paige Bueckers. After being selected during the first round of the 2020 WNBA Draft, the German center finally made the push to the WNBA during the 2025 WNBA season.

At 25 years old, the talented center showcased her strong framework and down low play presence while emerging as one of the fresh young centers of the league. Despite appearing in just 28 games, Geiselsoder added 6.9 points per game to go along with 4.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

Her solid positioning and vertical defense made her a fan favorite, especially for a franchise needing a defensive presence while looking to build a team to contend.

Carla Leite

Team: Golden State Valkyries

Position: Guard

WNBA Stats: 7.2 PPG/ 1.3 RPG/ 2.0 APG

Entering the 2025 WNBA Season as the newest franchise of the league, expectations were for the Golden State Valkyries.

However a strong expansion draft including the selection of Carla Leite who elected not to join the WNBA after being drafted in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft last season delivered the team a well balanced roster. Leite’s rookie campaign was a steady rise from intrigue to promise helping the Valkyries seize the eighth and final WNBA Playoff spot.

The French point guard averaged 7.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, and two assists per game while averaging 17.2 minutes per game. With instinctive vision and high basketball IQ, Leite became a trusted late-game playmaker for the Valkyries.

Top 10 WNBA Rookies 2025 Rankings

10. Monique Akoa Makani

Team: Phoenix Mercury

Position: Guard

WNBA Stats: 7.7 PPG/ 2.2 RPG/ 2.7 APG

Closing out a talented list of WNBA rookies on the Top 10 WNBA Rookies 2025 Ranking list is the talented international star Monique Akoa Makani.

Makani, who was not drafted, became a surprise addition to the list of talented rookies after signing a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury. A signing that paid off all season as the talented guard started 40 of the 41 games she appeared in while averaging 21.5 minutes per game. The Mercury surged to a fourth place finish while Makani made a name for herself within the starting rotation. Makani made her mark as an energy forward capable of defending multiple positions.

Over 41 games, the Mercury guard averaged 7.7 points to go along with 2.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and nearly one steal per game. Her defensive prowess delivered the Mercury a strong player on both ends of the floor including within the WNBA Playoffs.

9. Leila Lacan

Team: Connecticut Sun

Position: Guard

WNBA Stats: 10.4 PPG/ 2.4 RPG/ 3.7 APG/ 2.2 SPG

Another talented international force making a strong impact during her rookie season within the WNBA was the Connecticut Sun guard Leila Lacan.

After electing to remain in France after being drafted 10th overall during the 2024 WNBA Draft, Lacan made the jump this season after signing her rookie contract in early February 2025. Lacan’s quick first step and fearlessness stood out immediately for the Sun. The French guard brought a mix of scoring punch and creative playmaking rarely seen from rookies.

The Sun’s guard capped off her rookie season appearing in 25 games while posting 10.4 points per game and being one of only six rookies to average double figures on the season. In addition Lacan led all rookies posting 2.2 steals per game while also adding 2.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. By the end of the 2025 WNBA Schedule, Lacan had earned All-Rookie honors and the confidence of her coaching staff.

8. Aziaha James

Team: Dallas Wings

Position: Guard

WNBA Stats: 7.5 PPG/ 2.9 RPG/ 1.6 APG

While all eyes were on fellow WNBA Draft pick Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James capped off a strong rookie season on both ends of the floor.

A dynamic scorer with the NC State Wolfpack, Aziaha James carried her physical mentality to the pros. Coming mostly off the bench for the Wings, James delivered strong numbers all season while posting 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. While adjusting to WNBA physicality, James also grew into a more capable defender, leveraging her agility to pressure opposing guards.

In addition James found rhythm during the latter part of the season posting two games with at least 20 points and five rebounds over her final four games of the regular season. The future looks bright in Dallas as the Wings look to their youth movement heading into next season.

7. Saniya Rivers

Team: Connecticut Sun

Position: Guard/Forward

WNBA Stats: 8.8 PPG/ 2.8 RPG/ 2.7 APG

The 2025 WNBA Draft delivered multiple new teammate tandems with the Connecticut Sun adding Saniya Rivers alongside talented rookies Aneesah Morrow and Leila Lacan.

The picks delivered the team some fresh young faces and a bright spot looking forward into direction of the team. Her athleticism translated seamlessly, averaging 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while also showing elite defensive versatility. Rivers proved particularly useful in matchup-heavy series, switching from guards to power forwards without losing positioning.

Though her jumper remained a work in progress, her hustle, rebounding, and intangibles make her a player to watch entering the 2026 WNBA season.

6. Dominique Malonga

Team: Seattle Storm

Position: Center

WNBA Stats: 7.7 PPG/ 4.6 RPG

The Seattle Storm hit gold with 20-year-old French center Dominique Malonga with the second overall pick during the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Making the jump from international play to the WNBA, Malonga was strong all season while using her six foot six inch body to emerge as a strong inside/outside presence. Malonga capped off her rookie season averaging 7.7 points per game while also adding 4.6 rebounds per game while averaging just 14.3 minutes per game.

Her quick footwork and ability to run the floor allowed the Storm to play faster, while her infectious energy became a locker-room rallying point. Although her offseason contract dispute in Europe has clouded her immediate status, Malonga’s rookie body of work placed her among the league’s brightest international stars.

5. Aneesah Morrow

Team: Connecticut Sun

Position: Forward

WNBA Stats: 7.7 PPG/ 6.9 RPG

Coming into the league after a storied collegiate career, Aneesah Morrow lands among the tops of the Top 10 Best WNBA Rookies 2025 Rankings list.

Morrow had a breakout first season for the Connecticut Sun, solidifying herself as one of the league’s rising interior forces. Known for her tenacity and rebounding aggression, Morrow finished the season ranked second among rookies while posting 6.9 rebounds per game.

While her scoring struggled to match her success at the collegiate level finishing with just 7.7 points per game, Morrow brought strength down low for a Sun team looking to rebuild. Morrow’s adaptability, allowing her to defend fours and small-ball fives, delivers the Sun invaluable lineup flexibility.

Her season culminated in All-Rookie Team honors and discussions about her being a foundational piece in the Sun’s next-generation core.

4. Janelle Salaün

Team: Golden State Valkyries

Position: Forward

WNBA Stats: 11.3 PPG/ 5.1 RPG/ 1.2 APG

One of the biggest impacts of any rookie came from Janelle Salaün who went undrafted before signing a training camp contract with the Golden State Valkyries.

Despite not having the hype built around her as many of the new WNBA rookies, the talented Valkyries went to work early quickly becoming the face of the new Golden State franchise. The talented forward capped off her rookie season avarging 11.3 points per game while also adding 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Her immediate impact was felt from day one while helping the Valkyries earn the eight and final WNBA Playoff spot.

Salaün’s poise was emblematic of international training, helping her remain composed all season. By earning All-Rookie honors, she set the tone for the Valkyries’ first campaign and positioned herself as a cornerstone for their rebuild.

3. Kiki Iriafen

Team: Washington Mystics

Position: Forward

WNBA Stats: 13.3 PPG/ 8.5 RPG/ 1.6 APG

Kiki Iriafen delivered a season that matched her collegiate promise while forming one of the best young duos in the league with fellow 2025 rookie Sonia Citron.

While the Washington Mystics failed to reach the playoffs, the tandem helped to deliver hope for the franchise moving forward. The former Stanford Cardinal and USC Trojan standout capped off her first season in the WNBA avearging 13.3 points per game to go along with 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Iriafen finished the season ranked third in scoring behind Citron and Paigue Bueckers, while leading all rookies in rebounding.

Her post footwork and face-up shooting made her one of the league’s hardest rookies to guard. Iriafen’s presence on both ends earned her a unanimous spot on the WNBA All-Rookie First Team.

2. Sonia Citron

Team: Washington Mystics

Position: Guard

WNBA Stats: 14.9 PPG/ 2.4 APG/ 1.3 SPG

As all eyes were on another talented 2025 WNBA rookie, Sonia Citron’s professionalism stood out from day one.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish grad seamlessly translated her well-rounded skill set to the WNBA, averaging 14.9 points, four rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Citron balanced efficient scoring with relentless defense, frequently drawing the league’s toughest assignments. Her ability to guard multiple positions and hit clutch open looks made her indispensable for Washington.

A strong all around season, landed Citron among the WNBA Rookie of the Year nominees, however coming up as the runner up to Paige Bueckers.

1. Paige Bueckers

Team: Dallas Wings

Position: Guard

WNBA Stats: 19.2 PPG/ 3.9 RPG/ 5.4 APG

Headlining the Top 10 WNBA Rookies 2025 Rankings is the Dallas Wings first overall pick Paige Bueckers.

Bueckers captured the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year in near-unanimous fashion, and for good reason. The Wings guard averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. The former UConn Huskies guard combined elite shot-making with floor general composure beyond her years while emerging as a fresh young face of the league.

The talented first year star finished fifth in the WNBA in scoring, while also leading all rookies in scoring and assists per game. Bueckers’ court vision and creativity placed her immediately among elite guards. She became the face of this rookie class and a generational talent capable of leading the Wings next era of success. Her rookie season wasn’t just impressive, it was iconic.

Who’s #1 on your WNBA Rookie of the Year list?

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