The Rookie of the Year award is such a fickle thing. Every year, way before the rookies from the latest draft class even touch the court, people come out with their own favorites for the award. Last year, it was Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, but this year? Only one name came to mind–Paige Bueckers. The six-foot-tall guard from UConn is one of the most hyped prospects in the history of the W, and everyone came into this season expecting her to win. But things aren’t exactly going as planned!

Firstly, Bueckers did not have the same effect on Dallas as Clark and Reese did on their teams last year. The Wings point guard adjusted her game to the professional level quite quickly, but wasn’t able to affect winning on the same scale as Clark and Reese did. Dallas is currently 1-7 after the latest loss to Seattle, and momentum is not on their side. And secondly, Paige Bueckers picked up a rather unfortunate injury recently, ruling her out for the last two games against Chicago and Seattle.

Bueckers concussion cost her quite badly, however, as another rookie is making her presence felt in the WNBA ROTY race. Kiki Iriafen, a forward from the Washington Mystics, just won Rookie of the Month, and that might be more significant than you think! The six-foot-three forward averaged 13.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1 assist per game in her first month in the W. Considering that Washington is edging out Dallas in the wins column as well, we can see why this award went a certain way! 

For the last five years, we’ve had some big names in the WNBA draft, but the first month is what sets the tone. And according to PolymarketHoops on X, it might even prove to be the deciding factor! “Since 2020, the first ‘Rookie of the Month’ winner has gone on to win Rookie of the Year.” Their tweet read, providing good news for Mystics fans. 

There’s no doubt that Paige Bueckers is also balling out, as the Dallas guard is averaging nearly 15 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals a game. However, winning this award and proving her mettle won’t be easy for Bueckers. After all, even Caitlin Clark had to battle it out with Angel Reese to show that she truly deserved it. 

Kiki Iriafen has proved that there will be no handouts this year, and that she and the other rookies are pumped up and waiting for their chance. But how did she react to the Rookie of the Month honors? Is she planning on gunning for the trophy? Let’s find out!

Paige Bueckers’ newest competition caught by surprise after huge WNBA honor

Every rookie has a hunger to compete, a desire to succeed. They want to win championships, awards, and the hearts of their fanbases. After all, who wouldn’t want to be the best? Who wouldn’t want to dominate at the highest level possible? This draft class was stacked, to say the least, with Paige Bueckers standing at the top. However, it was a USC alum that ended up shining the brightest.

Kiki Iriafen has quite a unique skillset, and we’ve been seeing it on display since her time as a Trojan. She uses her size really well, is efficient in the low-post, and is a rebounding machine! Not to mention, she Iriafen has slowly started developing a shot from beyond the arc, and boy, is the thought scary! 

After winning the Rookie of the Month award, a reporter from the Washington Post caught up to the Mystics rookie. To his surprise, she didn’t even know the award existed! “I was definitely surprised. … It’s very fulfilling and rewarding that I can compete at this level. And I think it’s just a testament of like, your journey doesn’t have to look like anybody else’s and you can still accomplish your goals.” Iriafen said, as per the tweet by reporter Kareem Copeland. 

Her career high of 20 against the Indiana Fever recently really showed Kiki Iriafen’s ability to dominate inside the paint, and create favorable situations for her team. There’s no doubt that the Washington Mystics rookie will uplift the franchise very soon. If she keeps hooping at this level, then Paige Bueckers might have some serious competition for the ROTY award!