Northwestern’s Veronica Burton has declared for the 2022 WNBA Draft.

In a statement on Twitter, Burton said that Northwestern “has exceeded every expectation of what I wanted my college basketball experience to be like.”

“I am beyond thankful to have been able to attend and play at a school that compares to none,” she wrote.

Burton was one of the nation’s best players in 2022. Through 29 games, she averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 4.0 steals. As a result, she became the first Northwestern women’s basketball player to be named to an AP All-America team, earning Third Team honors.

She was also an All-Big Ten selection, earning First Team honors and won her third consecutive Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

With her declaration, Burton becomes one of the top prospects for the 2022 WNBA Draft, which is scheduled to take place April 11 in New York City.

Northwestern took down No. 22 Iowa Thursday night 77-69 for their first win over a ranked team this season.

It’s the Wildcats’ third-straight win over Iowa after completing the sweep last season.

Each team had two players score 20 points or more as both teams shot 41 percent from the field. The major difference maker was on the glass, as Northwestern out-rebounded Iowa 42-31.

Foul trouble plagued Iowa, with McKenna Warnock and Kate Martin each fouling out. Warnock had 14 points and eight rebounds before leaving the game.

The Wildcats also forced 18 turnovers, thanks in part to senior Veronica Burton, who matched a career-high with eight steals.

The two-time reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year finished with 25 points, eight steals, six rebounds and six assists. Burton now sits inside the top ten all-time in career steals in Big Ten history with 329.

Freshman Melannie Daley had 22 points and six rebounds as the only other Wildcat in double-digits.

The dynamic duo of Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano was firing from all cylinders despite the loss. Clark had a game-high 30 points, adding three rebounds and five assists. Czinano, in her first game back from COVID-19 protocols, had 20 points and six rebounds.

Northwestern will look to move to 3-0 in Big Ten play on Sunday against Ohio State at 3 p.m. ET. The Hawkeyes will have an opportunity to rebound against Nebraska at 2 p.m. ET.