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Burton performed a key function in serving to the Valkyries earn a playoff spot of their inaugural season.
Newton native Veronica Burton has made essentially the most of her time with the WNBA’s latest franchise — the Golden State Valkyries.
After averaging 12.7 minutes per recreation in a bench function for the Connecticut Solar in 2024, Burton elevated her recreation as a lineup stalwart with the Valkyries — beginning all 44 video games and enjoying a significant function in serving to Golden State turn into the primary WNBA enlargement franchise to advance to the playoffs of their inaugural season.
For her efforts, the previous Newton South and Northwestern standout took dwelling the 2025 WNBA Most Improved Participant Award on Monday.
The 25-year-old Burton gained the award in a landslide, receiving 68 of 72 votes from a nationwide panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.
Over her 44 video games with Golden State, Burton posted profession highs in factors (11.9), assists (6.0), rebounds (4.4), and minutes (29.4). It was a marked enchancment from her numbers with the Solar, the place Burton averaged 3.1 factors, 1.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.5 steals throughout 31 video games.
In line with the WNBA, Burton is the primary participant in WNBA historical past to extend her averages by at the least 5 factors, two rebounds and two assists per recreation from one season to the subsequent (minimal 30 video games performed in every season).
Burton has gone via fairly the journey within the professional ranks en path to establishing herself as a fixture within the Bay Space. Initially drafted seventh total within the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, Burton performed two seasons in Dallas earlier than being waived earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season.
Burton finally signed on with the Solar, establishing herself as a reliable choice off the bench for Connecticut earlier than getting chosen by Golden State within the enlargement draft.
A clear slate with a brand new franchise gave Burton the chance she wanted to thrive out on the court docket — with the 5-foot-9 level guard rating third within the WNBA in assists per recreation (6.0) whereas standing as the one Golden State participant to begin all 44 video games through the common season.
She posted three video games this season the place she recorded 10 or extra assists with zero turnovers — a WNBA single-season report.
“Not essentially any doubts of like, if I could make it right here. However only a matter of when, what that may appear to be, and also you’re by no means assured something — particularly on this league,” Burton said this weekend when asked if she doubted she’d get another opportunity after the Wings waived her. “Simply didn’t know if it was for me or not. So clearly I’m grateful for simply how fast of a turnaround it was.”
Burton was a power on the court docket throughout her high-school days in Newton, standing as a two-time Globe All-Scholastic Tremendous Staff choice earlier than successful Massive Ten Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors throughout her 4 years at Northwestern.
Burton is the daughter of Steve Burton, the sports activities director for WBZ. Her sister, Kayla, is a reporter for NBC Sports activities Boston and on-air host for Celtics broadcasts. Her grandfather, Ron, performed working again for the Boston Patriots from 1960-65.
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