Valkyries point guard Veronica Burton can add another league honor to her resume.
Just a few weeks after winning the most improved player award, Burton was named to the WNBA all-defensive second team, the league announced on Wednesday.
Burton started every game for the Valkyries, helping a defense that ranked first in opponent points per game (76.3) and opponent shooting percentage (40.5) and third in defensive rating (99.8).
The former Northwestern standout joined Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard as the only two guards to average four rebounds, one steal and at least 0.6 blocks per game.
Burton ended the season with averages of 11.9 points, six assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.
She joins Howard, Aliyah Boston, Ezi Magbegor and Breanna Stewart on the all-defensive second team. Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith, Alyssa Thomas, Gabby Williams and A’ja Wilson comprised the all-defensive first team.
The Valkyries made the playoffs in their inaugural season while also breaking the league attendance record. Burton played a big part in Golden State’s success down the stretch after All-Star Kayla Thronton was ruled out midway through the season with a knee injury.
“It was just an incredible season and I’m really proud of what we were able to do,” Burton said during her exit interview two weeks ago. “Obviously we had a lot of different injuries and different lineups and just things were kind of ever changing, but I was able to embrace it a little bit more. Fortunately, I had people around me that were pouring into me. I think I found beauty in change rather than just negativity.”
Burton goes into the offseason as a restricted free agent after making $78,831, per Spotrac.
Though the ongoing CBA negotiations will certainly take up much of the talk throughout the next few months, Burton said it will not affect the way she goes about her offseason.
“It is a big CBA time period and being a part of the Players Association, I’m doing my part of being aware and understanding what is at stake, and then not letting it necessarily dictate how I approach the game because that’s out of my control and out of my hands,” Burton said. “What I can control is getting better and getting in the gym, and so that’s going to be my focus in the off season.”