In a move that shocked absolutely no one with a functioning pair of eyes this season, the WNBA has officially named Veronica Burton the 2025 Most Improved Player. Let’s all take a moment to act surprised. All done? Good. Because while the award is a fantastic nod to her incredible season, calling it a surprise would be like calling a Steph Curry three-pointer “unexpected.”
She wasn’t just in the running for this award; she practically sprinted away with it, leaving the rest of the field in her dust. For a player who was waived just a year ago, this isn’t just an improvement; it’s a full-blown revenge tour, and we’re all just lucky enough to be watching from the sidelines. The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s shiny new toy, crashed the playoff party in their first year, and it was Burton who was driving the bus, honking the horn, and probably selling the tickets.
Burton’s Breakout Season Was Undeniable
Sep 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) dribbles the ball while defended by Seattle Storm guard Brittney Sykes (20) during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesLet’s be honest, the race for Most Improved Player was about as competitive as a Harlem Globetrotters game. Burton grabbed 68 of a possible 72 votes, which is what we call a landslide. The other four votes were likely cast by people who either misplaced their glasses or were trying to be contrarians.
It’s hard to argue with the numbers Burton put up. She went from averaging a meager 3.1 points and 1.9 assists with the Connecticut Sun in 2024 to dropping a cool 11.9 points and dishing out 6.0 assists per game for the Valkyries. That’s not just getting better; that’s a complete transformation. She basically went from being a background extra to the leading lady of the whole production.
This leap in performance is the kind of thing you see in a sports movie. A player gets cut, gets a second chance on an expansion team nobody believes in, and then proceeds to light the league on fire. You can’t write a better script. Burton became the vocal leader and the on-court general for a team that defied all expectations. The Valkyries weren’t supposed to be here, yet they muscled their way into the playoffs. A huge part of that improbable run was Burton’s steady hand and newfound swagger.
From Waiver Wire to Award Winner
To truly appreciate what she accomplished, you have to look at the rollercoaster she’s been on. Drafted seventh overall in 2022 by the Dallas Wings, she was unceremoniously waived by that same team in 2024. Think about that for a second. A top-10 pick, cast aside like yesterday’s news. It’s a brutal business, and for many, that would be the end of the story.
But for Burton, it was just the beginning of a new chapter. Picked up by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft, she was given the keys to the kingdom, and boy, did she deliver.
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase, who should be clearing space on her mantle for the Coach of the Year trophy, leaned on Burton to be more than just a player; she needed a leader. And Burton answered the call, evolving from a player who “organized” the team to one who “commands” it. When things got tough, the team looked to her. That’s not something you can teach; that’s something you earn.
The Fans and Stats Agree on Burton
You don’t have to take my word for it. Just scroll through social media. The consensus from fans is deafeningly clear: “She deserves it,” “Well deserved,” “BIG BURTON!!!!” The praise is universal, even coming from her alma mater, Northwestern, where they knew it was only a matter of time before she found her footing.
And the stats back up the eye test. One analyst pointed out that Burton is the first player in WNBA history to boost her averages by at least five points, two rebounds, and two assists from one season to the next. That’s not just an improvement; that’s a statistical anomaly of the best kind. It’s a testament to the hard work she put in when no one was watching. As one fan aptly put it, “To think that she was waived is crazy, you only really need trust and an opportunity.”
Now, with the MIP trophy secured, Burton’s focus is squarely on the playoffs. The Valkyries are facing the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, a true David vs. Goliath matchup. But if this season has taught us anything, it’s that you should never count out Veronica Burton. She’s already proven everyone wrong. What’s one more miracle?
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
