The Golden State Valkyries might not have had the best game to start the WNBA playoffs in their first season, but they’ve still got a reason to celebrate. It’s because their star player, Veronica Burton, has been named the Most Improved Player by the WNBA with 68 out of 72 votes. It’s a well-earned honor for Burton, who went from starting no more than 13 games in previous seasons to taking the floor in all 44 for the Valkyries. Through the ups and downs, her biggest supporters, her mom and dad, have been by her side. But her father, in particular, has someone else to thank, too.

When Burton picked up the Kia MIP, along with a $5,150 bonus and the shiny new trophy, it was her dad who sent in a special video message. A former Northwestern quarterback and now a broadcaster in Boston, he’s passed some of those athletic genes down to her. But in that proud moment, instead of just celebrating her rise, he made sure to point out those who had been by her side through everything.

“You had the coach of the year and Natalie Nakase and her staff, they believed in you, your teammates that built you up and played with you, an owner that took a risk on you, and the best fans on the planet that backed you. I know you won’t forget all that, but here on the East Coast we love you as well. May God bless you, your teammates, and all of Valkyrie Nation. And that, my friends, is sports finale,” Steve shared as per WBZ Sportsdesk. 

Here, Coach Natalie Nakase’s name hits different when you realise that she was the one who held Vee’s back, propelling her into a leap of faith.

Veronica Burton put together the best season of her career, setting new personal marks with 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists a night. Her playmaking placed her among the league’s elite, finishing third overall in assists per game and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.82, minimum 10 games). That surge in production proved pivotal for Golden State, as Burton guided the expansion Valkyries into the postseason, an unprecedented feat for a first-year franchise. But all this wouldn’t have been possible without Nakase.

As Burton puts it herself, “Coach Nat has been tremendous for me. She’s helped me in so many different ways, just as a mentor, as a listening ear. She’s always, you know, asking how she can help me and what she needs from me. I think she’s challenged me and just grown me as a player and a person”. 

Veronica Burton’s breakout wasn’t just about numbers on a stat sheet. What truly changed the course of Golden State’s season was how she grew into the floor general Natalie Nakase wanted her to be. Under Nakase’s guidance, Burton learned to command the game with her voice and presence, shedding the habit of slumping shoulders for a steadier, more confident demeanor. The transformation turned her into the leader the Valkyries needed.

Still, Burton made sure she didn’t change the essence of who she is. As Nakase herself said, “I told you, I’m an MFer, but she’s more of a kindhearted, build that relationship, build that trust [person]. And so, I always give credit to people who stay who they are and stay true to themselves.”

And behind that, her family has had a role to play.

Her family had an important role to play, too.

As a junior, Veronica Burton had focused on maintaining her confidence and not letting negative thoughts creep in during the season. She admitted that she was often her own toughest critic and could be hard on herself whenever her performance fell short of her expectations. What made the difference, she explained, was the encouragement from teammates and coaches.

However, Burton still leaned heavily on her family for support. With nearly every family member having competed at the Division I level, they understood the mental and physical challenges of athletics and were able to guide one another through them. She also grew up surrounded by stories of Northwestern, given her family’s deep ties to the school, but she said the reality of playing there surpassed anything she had imagined. To her, Northwestern had become a second home, where teammates felt like family. As Burton put it, “You can’t understand all the qualities of it [Northwestern], until you experience it.”

But the people cheering her on the loudest were always her parents. Her father, a former Northwestern quarterback, fueled her determination, while her mother, once a Wildcat swimmer, was her steady source of comfort. Whether it was picking her up after a tough day or keeping her grounded in the midst of success, her mom never wavered. Burton once summed it up simply: “They’re keeping my head on straight and keeping me humble.”

So, yes, that’s why Burton never lost her essence.