Cathy Engelbert surprised Paige Bueckers on The Jennifer Hudson Show after the Dallas Wings’ star won the Rookie of the Year award. The WNBA Commissioner presented the trophy to Bueckers in front of a live audience, giving the 23-year-old guard an unforgettable moment after her breakout first season in the league.
Cathy Engelbert Surprises Paige Bueckers After WNBA ROTY Win
Bueckers Receives WNPA ROTY Trophy In an Unusual Setting
The show invited Bueckers to appear, and she walked through the ‘tunnel walk’ segment, where staff and audience cheered her on from both sides before she took the stage. What she did not know was that a special guest was waiting for her at the end. Cathy Engelbert appeared holding the 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year trophy as Bueckers danced her way down the tunnel with staff from the show singing “Paige Bueckers at J-Hud’s, shooting baskets, she’s the one.”
“I bet I’m the last person you expected to see in this tunnel,” Engelbert smiled and told Bueckers. “But I’m here to present you with the 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year award.” Bueckers was all smiles as she received the trophy and thanked her with a hug as chants of “Rookie of the Year” echoed around the studio.
Paige Bueckers did not expect THIS at the end of her tunnel! 👀 @WNBA @DallasWings pic.twitter.com/wyJ8RsJdl8
— The Jennifer Hudson Show (@JHudShow) September 16, 2025
While most awards are announced through press releases or formal ceremonies, the decision to present Bueckers with her trophy on The Jennifer Hudson Show gave the moment an extra layer of surprise and excitement. The show’s tunnel walk, usually just a fun way to welcome guests, became the stage for her big reveal.
How Bueckers’ Impressive Campaign Led To Unprecedented Win
Bueckers entered the WNBA with plenty of expectations after her impressive college career, and she more than lived up to the hype. She averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game in her first season with the Dallas Wings and was the team’s leading scorer and playmaker, usually producing magic moments at important times.
The 23-year-old becomes the 16th No. 1 overall pick to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year award. Bueckers scored in double figures in nearly every game and was able to create opportunities for teammates as well as herself. She set a rookie scoring record after notching 44 points against the Los Angeles Sparks in August. Beyond the numbers, her leadership on the floor and composure under pressure impressed both coaches and fans.
Bueckers won the award in outstanding fashion, receiving a whopping 70 of the 72 media votes for Rookie of the Year. Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron received the other two votes as Bueckers became the first Wings player since Allisha Gray in 2017 to win Rookie of the Year.
Despite Bueckers’ impressive performances, Dallas couldn’t avoid a disastrous campaign, finishing the season 10-30 to tie for the WNBA’s worst record. The disappointing run also kept them out of the playoffs for a second straight year, but the former UConn star will enter her sophomore season with higher expectations for her team.
© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
