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Former Northwestern Guard Named WNBA Player of the Week
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- Former Northwestern Guard Named WNBA Player of the Week
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Veronica Burton continues to take her game to another level. The former Northwestern star was named the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week for Week 14 after putting together an impressive stretch with the Golden State Valkyries.
Burton averaged 11.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 8.8 assists during the week, continuing to show why she has become one of the league's most impactful playmakers. Her recent production is another sign of just how much Burton has developed since entering the WNBA.
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The guard has always been known for her ability to create for teammates, defend at a high level and control the game without needing to dominate the scoring column. Now, she is showing that she can consistently impact games in multiple ways against some of the best players in the world.
Burton's rise is especially impressive considering where her professional career began.
Before reaching the WNBA, Burton established herself as one of the best players in Northwestern women's basketball history. She finished her Wildcats career as one of the program's all-time leaders in assists and steals while earning multiple All-Big Ten honors.
Iowa guards Caitlin Clark (22) and Tomi Taiwo, left, defend as Northwestern guard Veronica Burton (12) shoots a 3-point basket during a NCAA Big Ten Conference women's basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. 220106 N Western Iowa Wbb 021 Jpg
Her defensive ability and playmaking helped make her one of the most complete guards in college basketball. That skill set has continued to translate at the professional level.
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Burton was selected by the Dallas Wings in the second round of the 2022 WNBA Draft before eventually becoming an important piece of the Golden State Valkyries.
She has continued to develop her game while earning opportunities to play alongside and against some of the biggest names in women's basketball.
Now, Burton is starting to look like more than just a reliable contributor. She is establishing herself as one of the league's best playmakers.
Her 8.8 assists per game during the latest stretch particularly stand out. Burton's ability to consistently find open teammates, create opportunities in transition and make the right decision with the ball has become a major part of her value.
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She also continues to bring the defensive intensity that made her so successful at Northwestern.
That combination makes Burton a difficult player for opponents to contain. She can impact a game with her passing, defense, rebounding and scoring, allowing her to influence the outcome even when she isn't the team's leading scorer.
For Northwestern fans, watching Burton reach this level has been especially rewarding. She has already made history throughout her professional career, and this latest honor adds another accomplishment to an impressive resume.
The WNBA is filled with elite talent, making a Player of the Week award a significant recognition for any player. Burton earning the Western Conference honor shows the respect she is beginning to receive around the league.
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And she may not be done yet.
Burton is still early in what could be a long WNBA career. If she can continue developing her scoring, playmaking and defensive impact, there is plenty of room for her to add more milestones and accomplishments to her resume.
For now, she is simply continuing to shine from coast to coast.
The former Northwestern star has taken another step forward, and if this recent stretch is any indication, Burton is quickly becoming one of the WNBA's most reliable and exciting players to watch.
