PHOENIX- Golden State Valkyries point guard Veronica Burton is playing on a whole new level in the team’s inaugural season.
Burton, a four-year vet, is on a team battling for one of the final playoff spots with an 18-18 record. Golden State has exceeded expectations, becoming the fastest expansion team to win 17 games and selling out every home game at Chase Center.
During the offseason, Burton traveled to Australia to play for the Bendigo Spirit, who won the WNBL championship alongside Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb, and was named to the All-WNBL Second Team.
During Tuesday’s game against the Mercury, Burton had a double-double with 24 points and 14 assists without any turnovers. She also has a league-wide season best three games with 10+ assists without a turnover.
Before the Mercury faced the Valkyries for the final time this season on Friday, Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts stated how impressed he is to see Burton’s growth from the start of the season in May to August.
A double-double and history made in Ballhalla. @Veronicaab22 is the first @WNBA player ever with 24+ points, 14+ assists, and 0 turnovers.
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) August 20, 2025
In case you haven’t heard us all season long — VERONICA BURTON IS HER 🙂↔️ pic.twitter.com/gUa3151o6m
“I mean, I’ve just been very impressed with her growth from last year to this year, (from) the start of this year, to now,” Tibbetts said pregame Friday. “(She has the) confidence. Their coaching staff has done a great job of putting the ball in her hands, putting her in situations to be successful, and she’s taken advantage of it. She’s playing with a ton of confidence, she gets downhill, she gets to the free throw line, she guards at a high level, and she’s gotta be proud of the growth that she’s made, the last 12 months in her game.”
Burton’s production level makes her a candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player award. She is averaging 11.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game for Golden State so far this season.
Ballislife sat down with Burton to discuss her breakout season with the Valkyries.
Ballislife: It’s your fourth season in the WNBA, playing for a different team. What are your takeaways from this season so far?
Burton: “I would say this season has been really refreshing for me, it’s been just really fun. Obviously, I’ve been able to get more of an opportunity here, and so with that opportunity comes also a responsibility, but I’ve grown a lot, I’ve been challenged a lot, and I’m just really grateful to be here and a part of this team.”
Ballislife: On Tuesday night, you had 14 assists and zero turnovers. How does your play style help the Valkyries in the long term, and especially in the playoff push?
Burton: “I just try and do whatever I can to try and win, help us win games. And so whatever that may look like on a given night, obviously, in order for me to get 14 assists, it means my teammates are knocking down a lot of shots. So it’s testing to them as well, and our coaching staff allow us to be in a position to be successful, and so hopefully we can continue to win some games and make a playoff push. But that’s the goal for sure (is to clinch a playoff berth).”
Ballislife: You are one of the candidates for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. How do you plan to maintain this positive mindset of a next-woman-up mentality, especially while playing for the Valkyries team, given their recent string of injuries?
Burton: “Our team has been really good about just staying ready. Every person on our team, whenever their number or name is called, they’re ready to compete, and we really trust each other. So whoever’s on the floor, we trust each other. We’re connected with each other, so no matter, obviously, you hate to have any injuries, but it is a testament to just our strength and our mental toughness that we’re able to perform when our name is called.”
Ballislife: Which teammate from the first year of the Golden State Valkyries, who are leading the league in attendance, do you give credit to?
Burton: “Our whole team does a great job. We all are really excited to be here, and the Valkyries organization has done an incredible job just getting fans and pulling in the fan base. Then we’re really appreciative of the fans for coming out to support us every night.”
Ballislife: How your development has progressed from your first season in 2022 to now. What is your one takeaway from that?
Burton: “My one takeaway is probably my confidence. I put a lot of work in and being able to trust the work that I put into it. That has really grown over the course of my WNBA career.”
Ballislife: Which type of teammates have you played with in your career that have stood out to you the most?
Burton: “Oh, so many. Honestly, it’s hard to choose from each team. I’ve really grown so close to so many different teammates and formed new connections. This team, especially, has been amazing with KT (Kayla Thornton), Kate (Martin), and Kaitlyn (Chen), all of them. I’m really close to all of them, but every year, I form new relationships and sisters.”
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