Being an expansion team is supposed to be hard. Roster-building rules limit the star power of a league's newest club.
The Golden State Valkyries are carrying the expansion mantle in the WNBA. But because of players like Veronica Burton, they've exceeded everyone's expectations.
The Valkyries faced an odd scenario on Wednesday. They were playing the Indiana Fever in a school-kids game that started early in Indiana and at what was 9 a.m. body clock time for the squad from California.
Burton is clearly a morning person, as she helped lead the Valkyries to an 80-61 win and a 10-9 record on the season
The guard out of Northwestern played one of the best games of her life. She had 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Burton drilled a career-high five 3-pointers, on just six attempts. She was 6-for-11 from the field overall.
Veronica Burton today 🔥
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) July 9, 2025
• 21 points
• 8 rebounds
• 6 assists
• 5/6 3PM
• 6/11 FGpic.twitter.com/N8VT6nop4S
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On the season, Burton is averaging 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
Burton has finally found the place she can shine in the WNBA in a way that always seemed possible.
She was a superstar in Newton, Massachusetts, who went on to Northwestern and became a three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Burton was chosen seventh overall in 2022 by the Dallas Wings. She played for the Connecticut Sun last season before getting a chance to spread her wings this season with the Valkyries.
On Wednesday, Burton also got to help slow down Caitlin Clark on the perimeter, and Clark shot just 4-for-12 and scored 10 points.
It was quite the performance for Burton, the kind that she's been putting together more and more lately. The 24-year old appears to have a long and bright WNBA future.
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