Former Northwestern star Veronica Burton is returning to Unrivaled for its third season, giving the veteran guard another opportunity to compete alongside some of the biggest names in women's basketball.
Veronica Burton is Unrivaled 👑
VB returns for season three on a multi-year deal.
Presented by @Allypic.twitter.com/iywIKfmemq— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) August 27, 2026
Burton has signed a multi-year deal to return to the league, continuing a run that has added another chapter to an already impressive basketball career.
Unrivaled launched in January 2025 as a domestic offseason league designed to give top WNBA players another opportunity to compete without having to play overseas.
The league features 3-on-3 basketball on a compressed full court, creating more space and opportunities for individual players to showcase their skills.
The league also has a unique player-first financial structure. Players receive high salaries and equity in the league, making them some of its largest shareholders.
Unrivaled's valuation has now reached $650 million after its latest funding round, showing how quickly the league has grown since its launch.
Burton has continued to establish herself as one of the most reliable guards at the professional level.
Her journey to the WNBA began at Northwestern, where she became one of the best defensive players in college basketball history.
During her senior season in 2021-22, Burton averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.4 assists while leading the country in steals. She was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season and earned AP Third Team All-America honors.
The Dallas Wings selected Burton with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, making her the second-highest draft pick in Northwestern history at the time.
Since entering the WNBA, Burton has continued to develop her all-around game. She became the WNBA's Most Improved Player in 2025 after averaging 11.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and a team-high 6.0 assists for the Golden State Valkyries. She also earned All-Defensive Second Team honors.
Now, Burton gets another opportunity to compete in an entirely different environment.
Unrivaled's format places an even greater emphasis on individual playmaking, decision-making and versatility. Those are all areas where Burton has excelled throughout her career, particularly with her ability to defend, distribute the basketball and create opportunities for teammates.
She will also share the floor with some of the best players in the WNBA, including league co-founder Breanna Stewart, giving Burton another opportunity to learn from and compete alongside elite talent.
For Northwestern fans, Burton's continued presence at the highest levels of women's basketball is another reminder of the impact she made in Evanston.
From becoming one of the best defensive players in college basketball to being a first-round WNBA draft pick and now returning for another season of Unrivaled, Burton continues to find ways to expand her game.
Season three will give her another opportunity to showcase that versatility while competing against some of the best players in the world.
