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Just 14 months ago, in Dallas, Texas, Veronica Burton was welcoming her new teammate Jacy Sheldon to the organization after the 2024 WNBA Draft. It was training camp after a season where Burton and the Dallas Wings advanced to the WNBA playoff semifinals, looking to run it back with her teammates for another season.
But within those 14 months, a lot happened across the league, and for Burton especially, a lot has changed for her, too.
In just 14 months, Burton went from preparing to run it back with Dallas, to being a surprising roster casualty, to being picked up by the Connecticut Sun, to playing in the WNBL for the Bendigo Spirit, to being selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft.
A lot can change in a short time, and it’s a reminder that time–and WNBA journeys–are not linear nor guaranteed.
“Whirlwind is a good word for it,” Burton said of her journey, “but also, just a blessing overall. Obviously, the W itself is a journey, and where you go as a player is sometimes unexpected and you can’t exactly anticipate everything. But how you show up and how you approach things is what you can control.”
Burton found herself on the opening-day roster for the Valkyries, joining a roster that’s filled with international standouts, savvy veterans, and players who are getting their first shot at proving themselves in the WNBA.
“We all come with a grit and energy and a mentality that we want to be here. None of us have really had an easy path here,” Burton said. “I think that translates onto the court. We want to play for each other and we trust each other. Many of us weren’t protected on our previous team, so we are just doing what we can to contribute. I think that goes a long way when it comes to team basketball.”
By every measure, Golden State has already exceeded expectations in its first year in the league.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Valkyries’ win total was set at 8.5 for the season.
Heading into the All-Star break, Golden State had already surpassed the number, thanks in part to a team comprised of what Temi Fágbénlé called a “team of sixth women.”
“I think that explains our mindset,” Burton said of her teammate’s description.
And it really rings true. Just look at Kayla Thornton, the Valkyries’ lone All-Star this season. Thornton played a crucial role for the New York Liberty last year off the bench en route to a title and is getting the chance to start and be a focal point of the offense.
“I think they have some really good players. I think Thornton and (Tiffany) Hayes are All-Star level players,” Atlanta Dream head coach Karl Smesko said of the Valkyries. “They have players who are playing their role. They know what they are good at, and they play to their strengths. There seems like there’s a team bond between them already.”
And you can see that with the Golden State, whether it’s during their pre-game workouts, their walk through the tunnel, or celebrating Thornton when she got the call as an All-Star.
Among those right in the heart of celebrating Thornton was Burton, who was hugging her tightly when the news broke.
She was thrilled for KT, but was she thinking there was an outside shot that she would get a call telling her that she, too, was an All Star?
“No, no. I don’t look much into that,” Burton said. “I don’t think being an All Star was really on my mind. Obviously, you know, everyone hopes to be that, but I wouldn’t say that I was waiting for a call.”
There were notable All-Star snubs, such as Brionna Jones and Brittney Sykes, but there’s a reason why Burton could have gotten a call to say that she was heading to Indiana, even if she didn’t think so.
It’s because there are only 10 players in the league who are averaging at least 10 points per game and five assists per game.
Player
PPG
APG
All Star?
Kelsey Plum
20.1
5.9
Yes
Sabrina Ionescu
19.3
5.8
Yes
Skylar Diggins
17.2
5.6
Yes
Paige Bueckers
18.1
5.6
Yes
Caitlin Clark
16.5
8.8
Yes
Alyssa Thomas
15.7
9.4
Yes
Courtney Williams
14.1
6.1
Yes
Veronica Burton
10.7
5.2
No
Jordin Canada
11.1
5.3
No
Natasha Cloud
10.4
5.9
No
*Stats are as of July 28, 2025
Of the members of that list, only three of the players listed–Burton, Jordin Canada, and Natasha Cloud–weren’t All-Stars.
“On, really?” Burton said, with her head turned to the side when learning of the statistic. “That’s some good company.”
It’s no surprise to see Burton producing if you watched her in college at Northwestern or her play in Dallas and Connecticut.
The only problem with her stops in Dallas and Connecticut is that she didn’t see the floor enough to really show what she was capable of.
But now, in Golden State, Burton isn’t only starting for the first time in her career on a regular basis, but she’s growing as a player and as a leader.
“It’s a big mental thing, honestly. It’s a confidence thing, and it’s about being prepared,” Burton said of being a starter.
Veronica Burton
MPG
FGA
USG%
PIE
2022
15.2
2.1
9.7
6.7
2023
13.9
2.1
8.3
7.2
2024
12.7
2.3
11.8
9.1
2025
28.8
8.2
18.1
11.7
*Stats are as of July 28, 2025
It’s a new role for Burton on a new team, sure, and while she does attribute it to confidence and her faith in God, she also acknowledges the role that her veterans and big-game experience on her old teams played for her.
“Yeah, I didn’t necessarily average 15 minutes per game before, but I think I did get some big experience and played in some big games down the stretch in the playoffs with Connecticut and with Dallas,” Burton said. “So, just kind of getting that experience, learning from my vets in those organizations was huge for me.”
Burton is only in her fourth year, but has tried to take on a leadership role with the team that has a lot of younger players on it. That can be with scoring, dropping dimes, or her role in the locker room.
“With more opportunity, more production comes. I think the preparation goes into it, but really it’s a credit to my teammates and my coaches,” Burton said. “You can’t get assists without your teammates knocking down shots and putting you into position to be successful.”
Like a majority of the league, Burton is a free agent at the end of the season. Not only that, but with two more teams coming into the league next year in Portland and Toronto, Burton knows that nothing in the WNBA is guaranteed.
Her past 14 months have shown that, but for now, she’s happy to have found a home in Golden State, with the fans of Ballhalla behind their team every single step along the way.
“It compares to no environment from what I’ve experienced. From Game 1 to Game 12 at home, it’s just been night after night, game after game,” Burton said of the fanbase. “They show up and they show out to support us. They are not just there – they are loud.”
And while Burton and the Valkyries aren’t thinking about the playoffs yet, they know that if they make it, they have an advantage, at least at home.
“We hear them throughout the entire game, no matter what the score is. They are huge for us. We feel that. We feel them,” Burton said. “We feel that when we are at home, and it really is an advantage for us. It’s great for the sport of women’s basketball and it’s great for the WNBA. We’re grateful that we are able to play in the Bay.”
