The transition to the WNBA is one grueling path. If you ask A’ja Wilson, it is the toughest in sports. You are in college one day, and the next, packing away your whole life. But that hasn’t stopped rookies like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers from defining what it means to be living up to the hype. No lean patches, no ‘big period of learning’, just straight up dominance. However, one is proving, the adaptability transpires even beyond the large spotlights.

Think 2025 rookie class, think Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and oh, Caitlin Clark for all the comparisons. But in the shadows, Connecticut Sun rookie Saniya Rivers has been quietly proving why her name deserves to be in the conversation.  In twenty-five minutes a night, the six-foot-one guard is currently averaging around 8 points, 3 boards, 3 assists, a steal and a half, and a block per game.

Rivers’ lithe frame allows her great mobility, while her size makes her a verified PnR menace! So, does it really come as a surprise to you that she’s on the verge of breaking multiple records in her rookie year? The Connecticut Sun guard is the only guard in the league to average a steal and a block per game this season, and because of her defensive prowess, she’s earning DPOY comparisons!

@Trendy Hoop Stars on X pointed out just how impressive Rivers’ stats are, and how they might lead to further All-WNBA defensive honors. “Two-time Defensive Player of the Year Alana Beard is the only guard in WNBA history to record at least 100 combined steals and blocks in her rookie season—until now. Saniya Rivers is just 18 stocks away from becoming only the second guard ever to reach that milestone in her first year.” And with about a dozen games left in the season, that’s a real possibility for Rivers.

Saniya Rivers’ rookie prowess is driving an important message out there: You can be successful without the spotlight. While everyone’s camera flashes are directed towards Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings, this young guard is focusing on hustling her way to the top. It hasn’t been an easy path, returning to the league after losing her mother, but for Rivers, it’s been all about resilience. She came back with one mindset: “‘Oh, I gotta do this thing now,” and she hasn’t let down.

With her surge, Rivers might just be adding to the already heated 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year race. Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron are the front-runners, but is there a clear winner between the two of them? What do league legends have to say?

WNBA legend Candace Parker gives her insight on ROTY race

The first step to stardom in the WNBA is the Rookie of the Year award, and many consider it a gateway to success. Last year, it was Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese, and this year? Paige Bueckers versus Sonia Citron. The UConn alumna has more than a few in her favor, thanks to her well-roundedness, leading her team in points, assists, steals, and blocks.

However, Sonia Citron quickly emerged as a contender for this award halfway through the season–or, if you think about it, she emerged as Bueckers’ newest rival. Averaging 15.2 and about 2.5 assists, the Washington Mystics rookie has shown everyone that she’s there to hoop. Nothing more, nothing less.

Even though the Mystics guard is shooting lights out in August, making 57% of her attempts from 3, a lot of people are still pulling for Bueckers. Including WNBA legend Candace Parker on the newest episode of Post Moves with Aliyah Boston. “Everyone that has to vote (on the award) is going to have a fun job doing that,” Boston said. “Both Sonia and Paige are killing it.” 

The LA Sparks legend held nothing back, proudly talking about how fun it is to see the two of them on the court. However, if she had a vote, it would only go in one direction. “It’s just a matter of her being on the court, (it’s) what all of us want to see,” Parker said. “I think I give the nod to Paige Bueckers for Rookie of the Year, but Sonia, make me change my ways.”

It will be interesting to see how this rookie race really turns out. Bueckers has all of the hype behind her while Sonia Citron looks like an underdog candidate that deserves a lot more appreciation than she’s getting.