(KRON) – The Golden State Valkyries may not have had the best game to kick off the WNBA playoffs, but there is still cause to celebrate.
With 68 out of 72 votes, guard Veronica Burton was named the Most Improved Player by the league.
This season, Burton has averaged career highs of 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals. Ranking third in the league for assists per game, Burton started in all 44 games this season.
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Veronica Burton #22 drives to the basket. (Photo by Supriya Limaye/ISI Photos/Getty Images) -
Golden State Valkyries guards Veronica Burton (22) and Kate Martin (20) smile during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero) -
FILE – Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton reacts during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File) -
Veronica Burton (22) puts up a shot in the first half as the Golden State Valkyries played the Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of the WNBA first round playoffs at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
The three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year received the nickname “Backcourt Burglar” at Northwestern University.
According to the WNBA, Burton will receive $5,150 and a trophy designed to commemorate her achievement.
Despite starting off strong with a 10-point lead, the Valkyries fell to the Lynx 101-72 at Target Center in Minneapolis on Sunday. The Valkyries will face an elimination game in their first-round series at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wednesday.
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