A trio of Valkyries earned nationwide recognition on Friday for his or her contributions to the crew’s success in its inaugural season.
Coach Natalie Nakase was named the Related Press WNBA coach of the 12 months, level guard Veronica Burton was tabbed as probably the most improved participant and ahead Janelle Salaün was named to the all-rookie crew.
Nakase led the Valkyries to a 23-21 report of their first season and led the Golden State to the playoffs, changing into the primary enlargement crew in league historical past to make the postseason in its first 12 months. Below Nakase, the Valkyries established themselves as the most effective defenses within the league, holding opponents to a league-best 76.3 factors per sport.
The primary-time head coach was employed final 12 months by Valkyries common supervisor Ohemaa Nyanin and has created a tradition of collective effort that uplifts that protection. The Valkyries have additionally embraced the three-point revolution beneath Nakase, 45, as they lead the league with 29.9 3-pointers tried and 9.7 made 3s per sport.
Burton, 25, was the one participant on the Valkyries to start out in all 44 video games with averages of 11.9 factors, 4.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists per sport. The previous Northwestern standout is the primary participant in WNBA historical past to enhance her per-game averages by over eight factors, 4 assists and two rebounds in comparison with the prior season.
Burton, who performed final 12 months with Connecticut after two years in Dallas, had began solely 20 of her 107 profession video games over her first three seasons. The higher alternative with Golden State — together with almost half-hour of taking part in time per sport — has led to her breakout this season.
“I got to give her credit because she sacrifices,” Nakase mentioned of Burton earlier this season. “She sacrifices time with her friends, time with her family. She’s taking care of her body. We’re very lucky to have someone to just kind of pour everything into being the point guard for us.”
Salaün, 24, completed fourth amongst rookies in scoring (11.3 factors per sport) and third in rebounding (5.1). She made 33 begins and recorded 22 double-digit scoring video games.
The 6-foot-2 French rookie’s skill to stretch the ground for the Valkyries opens up their offense and suits into their 3-point philosophy. She shot 36% on 3s this common season, trying almost 5 per sport.
The Valkyries didn’t draft Salaün of their first-ever newbie draft; as a substitute, they signed her to a contract in coaching camp
Golden State’s trio of honorees will lead them into the playoffs, the place they’ll face the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in a first-round collection that begins Sunday (10 a.m., ESPN). They’ll be the underdogs after Minnesota swept all 4 video games from the Valkyries this common season, together with Thursday evening’s season finale.
