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3w ago

WNBA Names 2025 All-Rookie Team Led by Paige Bueckers

A national media vote honored Washington’s Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, plus French standouts Dominique Malonga and Janelle Salaün, highlighting the depth of this first-year class.

Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün shoots a 3-point basket in the first half as Golden State played the Minnesota Lynx at SAP Center in Game 2 of their WNBA first-round playoff series. 
Sep 4, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) prepares to take a free throw against the Golden State Valkyries during the second half at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images/ File Photo
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Overview

  • The selection marks the first time since 2014 that the draft’s top four picks all made the All-Rookie Team.
  • Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers averaged 19.2 points and 5.4 assists, logged 692 total points for the third-best rookie scoring season on record, and was named to Time’s list of influential rising stars.
  • Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen started all 44 games for Washington, earned All-Star nods as rookies, with Citron finishing runner-up for Rookie of the Year and Iriafen leading the Mystics in rebounding at 8.5 per game.
  • Seattle’s Dominique Malonga contributed off the bench with 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds, finishing fourth in Sixth Player of the Year voting, while Golden State’s Janelle Salaün averaged 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds for the playoff-bound expansion Valkyries.
  • Salaün and Malonga became the first French-born players selected to the WNBA All-Rookie Team, which was chosen by a national panel; the league will announce All-Defensive teams on Oct. 1 and All-WNBA teams on Oct. 7.