Fresh off a national championship, Paige Bueckers was expected to light up the WNBA, and she has. But according to ESPN, that’s still not enough.
Despite her dominant play, Bueckers was snubbed in ESPN’s latest Rookie of the Year (ROTY) panel vote, sparking major backlash from fans. All four ESPN panelists gave their unanimous nod to Kiki Iriafen, praising her consistency and numbers. But critics say the snub reveals a bigger issue, an anti-Bueckers narrative brewing behind the scenes.
Bueckers Was the Favorite, Then ESPN Switched the Script
Before the season started, 73% of WNBA general managers pegged Bueckers as the clear-cut ROTY favorite. But just nine games into the season, and despite missing three games under concussion protocol, she’s being treated like an afterthought.
The ESPN panel of Kevin Pelton, André Snellings, Alexa Philippou, and Michael Voepel unanimously voted for Iriafen, citing her 14.9 PPG, 9.9 RPG, and 51% shooting. Strong numbers, yes, but fans argue Bueckers’ all-around impact is being wildly undervalued.
The Numbers Tell a Different Story
Let’s break it down:
- Bueckers is averaging 14.7 PPG, 6.7 APG, and 2 SPG
- She ranks third in assists league-wide and 16th in steals
- She’s on pace to be the fastest WNBA rookie ever to reach 200+ points, 75+ assists, and 75+ rebounds
Meanwhile, Kiki Iriafen leads rookies in field goals made in the restricted area and grabbed Rookie of the Month for May, but she doesn’t touch Bueckers in versatility.
One fan put it best:
“I love that ‘Kiki Iriafen is leading the ROTY race’ and ‘Paige Bueckers is doing something only two other players have done’ are lines in the exact same article.”
ESPN’s Language Feeds the Fire
The controversy isn’t just about numbers, it’s about tone. ESPN listed Sonia Citron ahead of Bueckers as Iriafen’s top competition, then wrote Bueckers “might make a push” when she returns. The problem? She’s already outpacing the other contenders in key metrics.
Fans didn’t take it lightly:
“It’s the language used… Saying that Soni ‘has been’ ahead of her and that she ‘might make a push’ is disingenuous. We’re talking about Paige Bueckers.”
This Isn’t the First Time Paige’s Been Doubted
Remember when UConn wasn’t favored to win it all in Bueckers’ final season? She led them to a title anyway. After tearing her ACL, she returned and broke records, ending her college career with 2,439 points and the highest scoring average in program history.
So fans are staying calm, for now.
“One thing about Paige Bueckers, she always lives up to expectations.”
ESPN’s ROTY vote has stirred up more than just debates; it’s questioned their objectivity. While Kiki Iriafen deserves recognition, Paige Bueckers is rewriting rookie records in real time, even with limited court time.
If her past is any indication, this snub may be the fuel she needs to finish strong, and silence every doubter.
Read More: 10 Reasons Paige Bueckers Will Be a Greater WNBA Star Than Caitlin Clark
