Veronica Burton wins 2025 WNBA Most Improved Player after breakout season with Valkyries
TOI World Desk | TOI Global Desk | Sep 16, 2025, 20:00 IST
Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton has been named the 2025 WNBA Most Improved Player after earning 68 of 72 votes from a national panel. In her fourth year, Burton boosted her averages to 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists, playing a pivotal role in leading the Valkyries to a historic playoff berth in their debut season.
The Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton is named the 2025 WNBA Most Improved Player of the year after helping her team acquire a position in the playoffs. According to the statement released on Monday, Burton had earned 68 out of 72 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.
Burton has been averaging 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game, marking her fourth year in the league, a career-defining season. The previous year, Burton averaged just 3.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.5 steals across 31 games with the Connecticut Sun. Burton's performance metrics have risen massively from the previous year, making her the first player in WNBA history to average by at least five points, two rebounds and two assists per game from one season to the next while playing at least 30 games in both seasons.
The 25-year-old guard was initially drafted by the Dallas Wings as the 7th overall pick in the 2022 draft and spent her first two years in Dallas before joining the Connecticut Sun for the 2024 season. Burton helped the valkyries exceed all expectations in the team's inaugural season.
The Golden State Valkyries finished their regular season with a 23-21 record and set a new WNBA record for the most wins by an expansion team. The Valkyries are also the first expansion team to make it to the playoffs in their debut season. Burton has been playing especially well as a starting point guard for the Valkyries and stepping up as a scoring threat to the other teams with her shooting mechanics. Burton has emerged as a far more dangerous player compared to previous years, showcasing her versatility.
The Golden State Valkyries are heading into their first-ever playoff series with the most improved player of the year on their side. Burton's emergence as the key player is a positive sign for the team's future, and her impact will be crucial for the Valkyries' success.
Burton has been averaging 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game, marking her fourth year in the league, a career-defining season. The previous year, Burton averaged just 3.1 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 0.5 steals across 31 games with the Connecticut Sun. Burton's performance metrics have risen massively from the previous year, making her the first player in WNBA history to average by at least five points, two rebounds and two assists per game from one season to the next while playing at least 30 games in both seasons.
The 25-year-old guard was initially drafted by the Dallas Wings as the 7th overall pick in the 2022 draft and spent her first two years in Dallas before joining the Connecticut Sun for the 2024 season. Burton helped the valkyries exceed all expectations in the team's inaugural season.
The Golden State Valkyries finished their regular season with a 23-21 record and set a new WNBA record for the most wins by an expansion team. The Valkyries are also the first expansion team to make it to the playoffs in their debut season. Burton has been playing especially well as a starting point guard for the Valkyries and stepping up as a scoring threat to the other teams with her shooting mechanics. Burton has emerged as a far more dangerous player compared to previous years, showcasing her versatility.
The Golden State Valkyries are heading into their first-ever playoff series with the most improved player of the year on their side. Burton's emergence as the key player is a positive sign for the team's future, and her impact will be crucial for the Valkyries' success.