The transformation that's made Kennedy Burke into a bona fide Sixth Player of the Year candidate

New York Post

07-06-2025

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WASHINGTON — Days after the Liberty were crowned WNBA champions for the first time in franchise history, Kennedy Burke laced up her sneakers and headed to the court.
The work that she put in over the next six or so months has resulted in a wildly efficient start that's made her an early candidate for Sixth Player of the Year.
Her shooting numbers through eight games are staggering — 54.5 percent (24-for-44) from the field and 59.3 percent (16-for-27) from deep.
It's a massive leap from a season ago when she shot 40.9/25.9 on fewer attempts per game.
Asked how good Burke's shot feels right now, the veteran admitted to The Post, 'It does feel pretty good.'
But she made sure to follow that up by giving credit to her teammates 'for giving me the ball when I'm wide open and then just me shooting with confidence.'
3 Kennedy Burke of the New York Liberty dribbles the ball during the game against the Connecticut Sun on June 1, 2025 at Barclays Center Arena in Brooklyn, New York.
NBAE via Getty Images
Coach Sandy Brondello knew Burke was due for a larger role in the rotation this season, her second with the Liberty.
When the Valkyries picked Kayla Thornton in the expansion draft, Burke became even more important to the Liberty's plans for a title repeat.
Brondello has seen Burke's confidence early this season, which the coach attributed to Burke's offseason work.
But it wasn't a matter of tweaking her mechanics.
'It was just reps, honestly,' she said after the Liberty's 86-78 win against the Mystics.
Her mental approach has changed.
3 Kennedy Burke (22) and Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün (13) battle for a rebound during the second half of a game at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Heather Khalifa for the NY Post
'Just knowing that when I shoot the ball, it's going to go in,' Burke said. 'So just having that confidence consistently.'
But she has been more empowered than ever to let it fly from deep since Natasha Cloud arrived in Brooklyn.
Cloud and Burke spent a brief period of time as teammates for the Mystics in 2022.
3 Kennedy Burke has played a key role with the Liberty this season.
Getty Images
Cloud knew then Burke had the potential to be an X-factor if she was given the right role.
The pair worked out together before training camp started in late April, and the veteran point guard has been encouraging Burke to be aggressive.
'She's been on my butt, just saying, 'If you're wide open, shoot the damn ball,' ' Burke said. 'She's been on me since the beginning of the season — even preseason, honestly. And I will credit that to her, just giving me that confidence.'
Cloud may have instilled that belief in Burke, but the results are all Burke's to claim.
When Jonquel Jones went down with an ankle injury in the first quarter Thursday, Burke was one of the players who stepped up. For the second time this season, she went 4-for-4 from deep, finishing with 12 points.
'It's been great and certainly we've needed all of those 3-point shots,' Brondello said.
Burke's hot start has earned her a spot in the conversation for Sixth Player of the Year.
Her 9.3 points per game has her tied for fourth among bench players in scoring, but no one is shooting the ball as efficiently as her.
Scoring isn't the only marker for those end-of-season awards. But the off-the-bench boost that she continues to provide on a nightly basis is hard to ignore.