Competing at the highest level in any sports is no easy feat, but it’s even more difficult when you’re just getting started as a pro in your rookie year. Nonetheless, every year one rookie player in the WNBA shines so brightly that they’re named Rookie of the Year, one of the most sought-after honors in the sport that every player only gets one shot at earning.
So, which players have put on such a show in their first season that they were dubbed Rookie of the Year? Here’s the complete list of every player who has won the WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
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WNBA Rookie of the Year Award Winners
This list essentially serves as a list of the league’s future superstars. Current superstars Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier have all won it. As have legends like Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Tamika Catchings and Maya Moore.
Here’s the full list by year:
2025: Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
Bueckers was one of the highest rated college recruits in recent memory. But after a handful of significant knee injuries, many wondered if she would reach the level she promised.
The 2025 calendar year put any doubts to rest. First, she led UConn to a national championship in her final collegiate game. A few weeks later she was the #1 pick in the WNBA draft. Just a few months after that, she’s the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year.
Bueckers was the only player in the WNBA to finish top 10 in points, assists and steals. She also scored the most points in a game of any player in the 2025 season and tied for the most by any rookie ever when she dropped 44 on the Los Angeles Sparks in August.
In a word, Bueckers was sensational.
2024: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Caitlin Clark entered the WNBA as the most hyped rookie in league history.
She set the single-game and single-season assists record, she became the first rookie ever to record a triple-double which she did twice and she hit the second-most threes in a single season.
Her dynamic blend of playmaking and shooting range makes her one of the most electric players in the league. After an injury-plagued 2025, the Fever will be happy to have her back as they chase their first title.
2023: Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
The first of the Fever’s back-to-back #1 picks, Aliyah Boston won the Rookie of the Year award unanimously. After a strong run at South Carolina, she brought her dominant two-way play directly to the W earning a trip to the All-Star game.
Averaging 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 blocks, 1.3 steals and leading the league in field-goal percentage, Boston instantly become the anchor of the Indiana defense and has since grown into one of the best post players in the league. Now teamed up with Caitlin Clark, Boston and the Fever have their sights set on a deep playoff run in 2026.
2022: Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
A mark of elite consistency, Howard hasn’t averaged below 16.2 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in any season of her career.
2021: Michaela Onyenwere, New York Liberty
Drafted by the Liberty, Onyenwere was traded to Phoenix and then Chicago. She’s a valuable rotation player who will be an unrestricted free agent heading into the 2025-26 offseason.
2020: Crystal Dangerfield, Minnesota Lynx
Dangerfield had a stellar rookie season averaging 16.2 points and 3.6 assists per game. A handful of injuries have kept her from recapturing her early success.
2019: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Collier put together an All-Star campaign in her rookie season. Since then she’s simply been named Defensive Player of the Year and perennially putting up MVP numbers.
2018: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
A seven-time all-star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and a league record four-time MVP. Of course she won Rookie of the Year.
2017: Allisha Gray, Dallas Wings
Drafted by the Wings, Gray became an instant contributor, averaging at least 9 points in every season. But she’s living her best life right now with the Atlanta Dream. She’s made three straight All-Star teams and finished fourth for the 2025 WNBA MVP award.
2016: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Stewart owns arguably the most impressive rookie season in history. On top of Rookie of the Year, Stewart earned second-team All-Defense, second team All-WNBA and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
The rest of the WNBA’s best rookies
- 2015: Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
- 2014: Chiney Ogwumike, Connecticut Sun
- 2013: Elena Delle Donne, Chicago Sky
- 2012: Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
- 2011: Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx
- 2010: Tina Charles, Connecticut Sun
- 2009: Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta Dream
- 2008: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
- 2007: Armintie Price, Chicago Sky
- 2006: Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx
- 2005: Temeka Johnson, Washington Mystics
- 2004: Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
- 2003: Cheryl Ford, Detroit Shock
- 2002: Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever
- 2001: Jackie Stiles, Portland Fire
- 2000: Betty Lennox, Minnesota Lynx
- 1999: Chamique Holdsclaw, Washington Mystics
- 1998: Tracy Reid, Charlotte Sting
Which WNBA Teams Have Had the Most Rookies of the Year?
No surprise here, but the Minnesota Lynx,who are in a three-way tie for most WNBA titles with the Seattle Storm and the Houston Comets (now defunct).
- Minnesota Lynx – 5
- Indiana Fever – 4
- Dallas Wings – 3
- Connecticut Sun – 2
- Seattle Storm – 2
- Los Angeles Sparks – 2
- Chicago Sky – 2
- Atlanta Dream – 2
- Washington Mystics – 2
- Phoenix Mercury – 1
- New York Liberty – 1
- Las Vegas Aces – 1
- Portland Fire (Defunct) – 1
- Charlotte Sting (Defunct) – 1
How is the WNBA Rookie of the Year Chosen?
The recipient of the WNBA Rookie of the Year award is selected by a panel of 60 members of the sports media, including sportswriter and broadcasters, in the United States through a voting process.
Each writer is asked to cast votes for their first, second and third place picks, with each player getting five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote. The player with the highest points total after voting ends is crowned WNBA Rookie of the Year.
In 2008, Candace Parker become the first player to ever collect every single possible vote, and she was also named league MVP that year.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which team in the WNBA has had the most Rookie of the Year awards?
The Minnesota Lynx, with five Rookie of the Year awards.
Was Caitlin Clark the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2024?
Yes, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever was named Rookie of the Year in her debut season.
Who won the Rookie of the Year in the 2025 WNBA season?
Paige Bueckers of the Dallas Wings won the 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 19.2 points, 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron finished second.
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