Veronica Burton wins WNBA's Most Improved Player award

Veronica Burton’s rise from Bendigo Spirit Champion to WNBA award-winner has been one of the standout stories of the year. 

After playing a key role in Bendigo’s historic WNBL25 Championship run, the 25-year-old guard was recognised as the WNBA’s Most Improved Player, collecting 68 of 72 votes from the national panel of sportwriters and broadcasters. 

In the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural season, Burton made history as the first player in league history to lift her averages by at least five points, two rebounds and two assists from one season to the next. She increased her scoring by 8.6 points and started all 44 regular-season games. 

Her success is another example of WNBL talent making an impact on the global stage, with nine current WNBA players set to feature in WNBL26. The question now is: who will be the next star to emerge from the league?

The WNBL season tips off on Saturday, October 18 2:00pm AEST as the Southside Melbourne Flyers take on the University of Canberra Capitals at John Cain Arena. 

Watch every game live and free on 9Now, WNBL.com.au or via the WNBL App.