Alex MacQuoid
The 2025 WNBA season is warming up fast, and so is the race for Rookie of the Year. The early frontrunners are emerging — and bettors are watching closely. Let’s break down the top prospects and value picks in this year’s field.
Paige Bueckers: The Odds-On Favourite
Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers stands tall as the bookies’ clear favourite, priced at just 1.07 via Spinbetter. Drafted first overall, the hype is real — and so are her stats. She’s delivering 14.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, leading all rookies in assists and ranking second across multiple categories.
Even though Dallas is off to a rocky 0-4 start and Bueckers is recovering from a concussion, her market value has only climbed. Her court presence and production continue to overshadow her team’s record. Unless injuries intervene, it’s her award to lose.
Top Contenders Gaining Ground
Sonja Citron (Washington Mystics), the third overall pick, has emerged as Bueckers’ closest statistical rival. Priced at 26, she leads all rookies with 15.0 PPG, shooting an elite 50.8% FG and 40.0% from three. Her efficiency and the Mystics’ balanced win-loss record boost her case.
Her teammate, Kiki Iriafen, might be the smartest value play right now. Averaging 14.2 points and 10.7 rebounds, Iriafen is the only rookie with multiple double-doubles. Her odds at 8 suggest the market sees her breakout potential — and savvy punters might agree.
Dark Horses Worth a Look
Keep an eye on Janelle Salaun, the undrafted sensation now suiting up for the Golden State Valkyries. With 13.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and a rookie-best 2.8 threes per game, she’s turning heads — and odds of 55 offer hefty upside for the risk-tolerant.
Further back in the field, Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm) and Hailey Van Lith (Chicago Sky) both sit at 100. Neither has shown season-long consistency yet, but Malonga’s 6-foot-6 frame could shake things up with increased minutes.
WNBA Rookie of the Year Odds
| Player | Odds (Yes) |
|---|---|
| Paige Bueckers | 1.07 |
| Kiki Iriafen | 8 |
| Sonia Citron | 26 |
| Janelle Illona Salaun | 55 |
| Dominique Malonga | 100 |
| Hailey Van Lith | 100 |
What History Tells Us
Since 2008, 12 of the last 17 ROY winners were No. 1 picks — including Caitlin Clark (2024), Aliyah Boston (2023), and Rhyne Howard (2022). Bueckers is cut from the same cloth, but her team’s losing streak could hurt her narrative. Injuries are always a factor — Clark missed time last year and still claimed the award.
Recognition matters. While Citron, Iriafen, and Salaun are all putting up numbers, public perception often tips the scales. If you’re betting today, Bueckers feels like a lock — but Iriafen at 8? That’s where value meets opportunity.