The Golden State Valkyries may be newcomers to the WNBA, but their rapid ascent has made them one of the league’s most talked-about stories.
Unlike other teams that leaned on free agency to establish credibility, the Valkyries chose a different route by turning to international talent. While the approach lacked headline names, it produced results.
The roster has become one of the hardest-working, most disciplined units in the league, difficult for any opponent to break down.
One of the clearest success stories from this formula has been Veronica Burton, who joined the Valkyries after a stint with Australia’s Bendigo Spirit. Once overlooked, Burton has blossomed into a key contributor, averaging 12 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.
Swoopes casts her vote
WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes recently made the case for Burton as the frontrunner for the league’s Most Improved Player award. Appearing on The Women’s Hoops Show, she initially hesitated before firmly declaring her pick.
“I think there are several players that deserve to be in that conversation,” Swoopes said. “But to me, there’s one player in particular that, for a lot of reasons, should be hands-down the winner. Hands down.”
Pressed by host Jordan Robinson to reveal the name, she answered: “Veronica Burton.”
Swoopes highlighted Burton’s on-court influence as the defining factor.
“There’s no standout star on this team, right? Tiffany Hayes, I would say, is probably the one player,” she added.
“So, the fact that I will say Veronica Burton has this team sitting in sixth place in the playoffs and her numbers are so much better than her entire season in the WNBA. And the impact. When you talk about impact-when she plays well, her team is on go. Like, they win. And when she doesn’t play well, they don’t look very good, right? To me, that’s why I say she should be hands down the winner of MIP.”
For Burton, the rise has been about more than numbers.
“It’s so great to finally be in an organization where you’re getting to play first of all, right? And you’re playing significant minutes. And listen, this is an expansion team. An expansion team that is sitting in sixth place right now in the playoffs,” Swoopes said, pointing to Burton’s pivotal role in Golden State‘s success.
But the Valkyries‘ playoff hopes remain delicate. With the postseason race tightening, Golden State faces a critical test against the New York Liberty, a team stacked with experience and firepower. A stumble could drop the expansion franchise to seventh place, putting pressure on them to hold their ground as the season winds down.
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