Between injuries and EuroBasket, the Valkyries have had to rely on many different players and lineups to step up. Through all of that, Veronica Burton has been a welcome constant. She is the only Valkyries player who has played and started every single game. Now that Kayla Thornton is out, Burton also leads the team in minutes, assists, and steals per game.
Burton is thriving in her new role as the Valkyries’ starting point guard, fuelling the team’s success on both ends of the floor. Even when she isn’t scoring much, she impacts the game. She dished out ten assists and committed only one turnover in the Valkyries’ 74-57 win over the Connecticut Sun.
After the game, Natalie Nakase made the case for Veronica Burton to be named Most Improved Player at the end of the season.
“I really believe she deserves Most Improved Player in the W because she can impact games without even scoring,” Nakase said about Burton. “So, like I said, I’m going to continue to push because she doesn’t just impact the game just with her defense. She gets her players involved, and that’s what you need from a point guard is someone who constantly impacts the game regardless of her scoring.”
Veronica Burton is thriving in her new role
Burton spent her first three seasons in the WNBA as a defensive-minded backup guard. While she didn’t produce much stat-wise, Burton still managed to earn Stephanie White’s trust and averaged 19.3 minutes over seven playoff games with the Connecticut Sun last season. Nevertheless, the Sun didn’t protect her in the expansion draft.
So, Burton ended up with the Valkyries and was handed a vastly expanded role. Going from a defensive stopper who isn’t expected to play heavy minutes to running a team’s offense and being one of the key players on the roster is quite the change. Burton responded well, though, and is filling her new role admirably.
Burton is averaging career-highs all across the board, tripling her production compared to last season. She has come a long way as a playmaker and scorer. Burton already logged more than 15 points eight times this season and dished out at least ten assists four times. That puts Burton in a category with some elite playmakers. She is closing in on Caitlin Clark and Alyssa Thomas who recorded ten or more assists in five and eleven games, respectively.
Burton has taken a massive step forward offensively since coming to the Valkyries and has a solid case to be named Most Improved Player.
Burton has some strong competition for the award
Burton isn’t the only player who has significantly stepped up their game this season. Kennedy Burke took on a bigger role with the Liberty and vastly improved her 3-point shot. Azura Stevens is in the middle of a career season with the Sparks. Naz Hillmon added a 3-point shot to her arsenal and is thriving in the Dream’s new system.
Burton’s case is still solid, however. If the Valkyries end up making the playoffs without Kayla Thornton, it will only strengthen Burton’s case.