When the Dallas Wings walked into a sold-out College Park Center, few expected fireworks. After all, this was the league’s bottom team, already riding a 10-game losing streak, set to close the season against the Phoenix Mercury. “Lots of close games in that stretch, just could never really get to the finish line,” HC Chris Koclanes shared. But then Paige Bueckers happened. She flipped the script and powered the Wings to a 97-76 win in their season finale. But is her breakout success just raw talent? ESPN’s commentator got a better answer for you!

While the Wings’ 2025 season hasn’t gone as planned, PB definitely provided a silver lining for the team. She finished her rookie season with 19.2 PPG, which is 5th across the league and 1st among rookies. Even the 2025 All-Star starter’s 5.3 assists per game rank 1st among rookies and 9th across the league. And this recent game was no different.

As she contributed 24 points to the team total, commentators couldn’t help but shower her with praise. “I think they’ve done that. Yeah, and you can get through the difficult times if you invest in culture. And that’s what Chris Koclanes did. That’s what this organization did, and they allowed Paige to step forward with her unique leadership style to really bring this team together, and it showed today—the great performance,” shared one of the commentators. Well, yes, a great performance: a plus-minus of +21 in 30 minutes with seven assists and eight rebounds is just amazing. But of course, the success the potential RoTY candidate is getting isn’t just hers.

As the commentator shared, Chris Koclanes and the organization definitely helped her a lot. Yes, they didn’t accumulate wins and lost the playoff berth, too, but they did open up opportunities for her to shoot and grow. As PB put it better during her September 11 interview with Dallas Hoops Journal, “I think my teammates — setting me up, getting me open, setting really good screens for me, putting me in positions to succeed… The coaching staff also putting me in positions to succeed. And then me just trusting the work and trying to make shots.”

Paige then just started capitalizing on these opportunities. Over the course of the season, she transformed into a complete offensive weapon. She displayed the patience often seen from vets, relying on pump fakes, body control, and, can you forget the footwork? Finally, all this composure against physical defenses became a defining trait of her rookie campaign. Also, with all the injuries, the Wings tied the W’s record for most players added in a single season (21), and that forced them to use 18 different starting lineups. And while others might have taken it as a challenge, the team made sure that the instability didn’t interfere with their star rookie’s production.

She went for 20.3 points with 3.7 rebounds and 5 assists per game over 10 games in August, which placed her 4th among all WNBA players in scoring. But the most impressive part? It was her 44-point performance, the highest this season, against the LA Sparks.

And now, even the league is recognizing her consistency, as she’s been named WNBA Rookie of the Month for the third straight month, becoming the 10th player in league history to earn the honor three times. “For as difficult as the season has been for the Wings, the future is bright with Bueckers at the helm of the franchise,” ESPN’s Philippou wrote. “Her 2025 campaign stands out historically compared to other rookie seasons in W history and among her peers in the league this summer.” And no, it ain’t just Rookie of the Month, she has also been named ESPN’s Rookie of the Year, with all four panelists, Alexa Philippou, Michael Voepel, Kevin Pelton, and Kendra Andrews, voting for PB as their top choice.

PB’s rise has also been her coach’s battle!

As the Wings HC built the offense around PB, he had a firsthand account of her prowess every single day this season. Meanwhile, he’s noticed what other rookies are up to at the same time, and on the basis of his observations, he had a strong message to convey.

“She is Rookie of the Year. There’s no question,” Koclanes said of Bueckers on August 21. “She makes everyone around her better.” So, he had a clear winner in his mind despite the Wings’ losing season. But his support ain’t just limited to praise though.

During the August 24 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, Koclanes shifted focus toward the physical toll the rookie guard was absorbing without the help of refs. She was seen drawing contact on drives, fighting double-teams, and still managing to create opportunities. But all this while, whistles remained silent.

So, obviously, HC had to step forward, and he shared, “The whistle wasn’t going our way, and then I see Paige get run over… How many times does she have to be on the ground before she gets protection? I had to step in and show our players I have their back.” he told Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal. So, this is the kind of bond between the coach and the No. 1 overall pick by the Wings!