Former Northwestern Guard Earns WNBA All-Defensive Honors

Former Northwestern women’s basketball star Veronica Burton continues to make a name for herself at the professional level.

The Golden State Valkyries guard has officially been named to the 2026 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team, marking her second consecutive season earning the honor.

It is another impressive accomplishment for Burton, who has established herself as one of the league’s most reliable two-way guards.

And the recognition comes at an exciting time, as Burton and the Valkyries are preparing to face the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA Finals.

Burton has been a major contributor to Golden State’s success this season, averaging 12.2 points, 5.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.

She also finished ninth in the WNBA in steals and assists, demonstrating her ability to make an impact on both ends of the court.

But for Northwestern fans, Burton’s defensive success should come as no surprise.

During her four-year career with the Wildcats from 2018 to 2022, Burton established herself as one of the greatest defensive players in program history.

She earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors three consecutive times from 2020 through 2022 and led the nation in steals in each of her final two seasons.

Burton also earned national recognition as the 2022 WBCA Defensive Player of the Year and became the first player in Northwestern women’s basketball history to receive Associated Press All-American honors.

Her ability to pressure opposing guards, force turnovers and lead by example made her one of the most impactful players to wear a Northwestern uniform.

And those same qualities have translated to the professional level.

After being selected seventh overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Burton eventually found her place with Golden State, earning the league’s Most Improved Player award in 2025.

Now, she is receiving another major defensive honor while helping lead the Valkyries to their first WNBA Finals appearance in just their second season as a franchise.

Golden State finished the regular season with a 32-12 record and the league’s top-ranked defense before sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.

For Burton, the opportunity to compete for a championship is another major milestone in an already impressive professional career.

And for Northwestern, it is another reason to celebrate one of the program’s greatest players.

Burton has continued to prove that the defensive mentality she developed in Evanston can translate to success at the highest level.

Now, she has an opportunity to add a WNBA championship to her growing list of accomplishments.