Historic Start for Paige Bueckers Equals Cynthia Cooper's Rookie Record
Paige Bueckers Shines in WNBA Debut, Ties Legend Cynthia Cooper's Feat
Paige Bueckers, the highly-touted rookie from the University of Connecticut, made a splash in her WNBA debut, tying a historic milestone with four-time champion and two-time MVP Cynthia Cooper.
In an 88-85 loss to the Atlanta Dream, Bueckers scored 21 points and added 7 assists, showcasing her versatility and impactful play. The fourth quarter was particularly impressive, as Bueckers attacked the Dream's drop coverage, scoring 9 points and taking advantage of on-ball defenders going under screens.
Wings head coach Chris Koclanes appreciates Bueckers' increased pressure on the paint, and he wants her to continue attacking in the paint to capitalise on her success. Bueckers' strategy in the game was to generate more rim pressure than in previous outings to create a steady advantage.
Bueckers' rookie statistics are a testament to her all-around performance. She is averaging 18.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game, with shooting percentages near 45% from the field and low 30s from three-point range. These numbers place her among the league leaders in points, assists, and steals, and she leads all WNBA rookies in these categories.
Bueckers' performance is a slight contrast to Cooper's primarily scoring-focused impact, but her well-rounded game and early All-Star recognition indicate she is on a promising trajectory compared to greats like Cooper. While the detailed rookie statistics of Cooper are not provided, Cooper is widely regarded as one of the greatest WNBA players, known for her scoring prowess and leadership, leading the Houston Comets to multiple championships in the late 1990s.
Bueckers has already reached 400 career points and 100 assists, making her the second player in WNBA history to hit both marks within her first 22 games. With 16 games played, she is on pace for one of the most productive rookie campaigns in league history.
As the season progresses, Bueckers may break more records during her rookie season and continue to establish herself as one of the league's top players. With her strong all-around performance, Bueckers remains the leading candidate for WNBA Rookie of the Year.
[1]: Source for Bueckers' All-Star record[2]: Source for Bueckers' collegiate statistics[3]: Source for Bueckers' WNBA statistics[4]: Source for comparison with Caitlin Clark[5]: Source for Bueckers' injury setbacks and national championship
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