Valkyries’ Veronica Burton named WNBA Most Improved Player

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KION) - Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton was named WNBA Most Improved Player, the league announced Monday.

She garnered 68 of 72 first-place votes to finish ahead of Azura Stevens in second, and Allisha Gray and Natisha Hiedeman tied for third.

Burton played an integral role through Golden State's inaugural season, helping the Valkyries to a historic playoff berth to become the first expansion team to reach the postseason in its first year.

Before being selected by the Valkyries in the 2024 expansion draft, Burton played for the Connecticut Sun. There, she averaged 3.1 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per game.

With Golden State, Burton averaged a career high across 44 games, with 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals across 29.4 minutes per game.

Burton was the only Valkyrie to start in all 44 games, making the most of the opportunity and earning league honors in the process.