SAN FRANCISCO – Veronica Burton is many issues for the Valkyries.
She is the dependable level guard who has began each recreation this season. The workforce’s emotional chief. The versatile playmaker who leads the workforce in nearly each vital statistical class.
If Valkyries coaches and gamers get their want, Burton, who has began all 39 video games this season, can even be acknowledged because the WNBA’s Most Improved Participant.
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) takes a shot towards the Indiana Fever within the first quarter on the Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
It might – or will – be a well-deserved award for a participant who was, a yr in the past, an nameless reserve in Connecticut.
However with the sort of tear the Northwestern product has been on for the reason that All-Star break, it’s truthful to ask: Does simply calling her “most improved” promote her brief as she leads the enlargement workforce to a surprising run to the playoffs?
Shouldn’t Burton even be within the operating for one of many 10 coveted All-WNBA slots, awarded to the very best gamers within the league?
The competitors for a spot on the workforce will probably be stiff.
Seven superstars – A’ja Wilson of Las Vegas, Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix, Napheesa Collier of Minnesota, Nneka Ogwumike of Seattle, Allisha Grey of Atlanta and New York’s Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu – are mortal locks to make the workforce.
After which, amongst guards, Burton is competing with the likes of Wings rookie sensation Paige Bueckers (18,9 factors, 5.3 assists per recreation), Sparks star Kelsey Plum (20.1 ppg), Minnesota’s Courtney Williams (13.9 ppg, 6.3 apg) and Seattle’s Skylar Diggins (15.7 ppg, 6.0 apg), all gamers with extra spectacular uncooked statistics.
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) dribbles towards the Phoenix Mercury within the first quarter of a WNBA recreation at Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Might 19, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
However even with all of these elements working towards Burton, ought to the Valkyries’ ground basic nonetheless be within the operating for an All-WNBA spot?
“Hell yeah,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase mentioned, including, “She’s not just improved, she should be All-WNBA with the numbers she’s putting up.”
In spite of everything, none of these different gamers are carrying an enlargement workforce, one anticipated to reside within the cellar.
And, for many who are mathematically inclined, her numbers are nonetheless eye-catching.
Burton continues to be averaging 12 factors, 4.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists, and leads the workforce in nearly each main statistical class. That additionally contains blocks (25), a staggering whole for a 5-foot-9 guard.
“She doesn’t stop fighting. When she gets hit, she bounces back up,” Nakase mentioned. “I’m definitely on board with her being all-WNBA. She deserves it.”
Golden State Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase speaks to Veronica Burton on the sidelines within the second half towards the Seattle Storm on the Chase Middle in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Space Information Group)
Because the beginning lineup started to function like a revolving door due to EuroBasket assignments, and remained so with accidents to different gamers, Burton has remained a gentle presence, at all times making the proper choice on the prime of the ground and on drives.
Her greatest video games embody a cool 30 factors, seven rebounds and 7 assists in a victory at Washington. A stellar 24-point, 14-assist output towards Phoenix. An epic 25-point, 13-rebound, four-block efficiency towards Dallas.
Her spectacular statistics usually are not only a product of uncooked quantity both.
Because the All-Star break, Burton is capturing 44.4% from the sphere, 40.2% from behind the arc and 92.8% from the free-throw line.
Burton has earned the belief of her teammates and made essentially the most of her alternative.
She isn’t only a feel-good story anymore. Veronica Burton is among the greatest gamers within the league.
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) and Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper (2) battle for a free ball within the fourth quarter of a WNBA recreation at Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Might 19, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Space Information Group)
