Natalie Nakase Named WNBA Coach of the Year; Veronica Burton Wins Most Improved Player
The Golden State Valkyries are celebrating a successful inaugural season, with head coach Natalie Nakase being named the WNBA Coach of the Year and guard Veronica Burton earning the Most Improved Player award. This marks a significant achievement for the expansion team, showcasing their talent and coaching prowess.
Natalie Nakase: Coach of the Year
Natalie Nakase has been recognized as the WNBA Coach of the Year after leading the Valkyries to a 23-21 regular-season record and a playoff berth. This is the first time in league history that an expansion team has reached the postseason in its debut year. Nakase received 53 of the 72 votes cast by a panel of media voters.
Nakase expressed that the award should be shared, stating, "It should be Coaching Staff of the Year. I’m not doing the scouting on my own, I’m not doing the player development on my own. … It’s a credit to my staff."
Under Nakase's leadership, the Valkyries established a strong defensive presence, holding opponents to a league-best 76.3 points per game during the regular season. General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin hired Nakase, making her the first Asian American coach in WNBA history. Prior to joining the Valkyries, she spent three seasons on Becky Hammon's coaching staff with the Las Vegas Aces and also served as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA.
Veronica Burton: Most Improved Player
Veronica Burton was named the 2025 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player. Burton received 68 of 72 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. She averaged career highs of 11.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 44 games. Burton became the first player in WNBA history to increase her averages by at least five points, two rebounds, and two assists per game from one season to the next (minimum 30 games played in each season).
The only Valkyries player to start all 44 regular-season games, Burton ranked third in the WNBA in assists per game and ninth in free throw percentage (87.8). On August 19th, against the Phoenix Mercury, she became the first player in WNBA history to have at least 24 points, at least 14 assists, and no turnovers in a game. It was one of her three games in 2025 with 10 or more assists and no turnovers, a WNBA single-season record.
Burton helped the Valkyries set the WNBA record for victories by an expansion team in its inaugural season. She also led the Valkyries to be the first expansion team to reach the WNBA Playoffs in its first season.
WNBA Most Improved Player Winners (Past 10 Years)
| Year | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Elizabeth Williams | Atlanta |
| 2017 | Jonquel Jones | Connecticut |
| 2018 | Natasha Howard | Seattle |
| 2019 | Leilani Mitchell | Phoenix |
| 2020 | Betnijah Laney-Hamilton | Atlanta |
| 2021 | Brionna Jones | Connecticut |
| 2022 | Jackie Young | Las Vegas |
| 2023 | Satou Sabally | Dallas |
| 2024 | DiJonai Carrington | Connecticut |
| 2025 | Veronica Burton | Golden State |
Looking Ahead
The Golden State Valkyries' impressive debut season, marked by Natalie Nakase's Coach of the Year award and Veronica Burton's Most Improved Player honor, sets a promising foundation for the future. This recognition underscores the team's dedication, talent, and strategic leadership, solidifying their place in the WNBA.
