Janelle Salaün makes history in the WNBA and wins an award unanimously
French Golden State player Janelle Salaün already has her first major individual award in the WNBA. The Golden State Valkyries' French player was unanimously chosen as the 2026 Sixth Player of the Year after receiving all 74 votes from the national panel responsible for deciding the award.
"J anelle Salaün already has her first major individual award in the WNBA. The French player for the Golden State Valkyries was chosen 2026 Sixth Woman of the Year by unanimous vote, after receiving all 74 votes from the national panel responsible for deciding the award.
Her season explains the difference. Salaün finished as the leading scorer among bench players, with 12.7 points per game, and set a new WNBA record for a reserve with 509 points in a single season.
A record-breaking season for Salaün
The French player appeared in the 40 games of the regular season and came off the bench in all of them. In 22.1 minutes per game, she averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists , shooting 42.5% from the field and 39.2% from three-point range.
Her production left more historical marks. Salaün finished the season with the records for a reserve i n total points (509), three-pointers made (93), and games with at least 10 points (27).
She also reached 20 points on six occasions , a figure that leaves her tied for fourth place all-time by a reserve in a single season.
From rookie to leader of the second unit
Salaün's leap came just one year after her arrival in the WNBA. The Frenchwoman was named to the 2025 All-Rookie Team, and in her second season she became one of the main offensive references of Golden State's second unit.
Her production helped the Valkyries complete a 32-12 regular season, the second-best record in the WNBA. The team also improved notably from its first year in the league, when it finished with 23 wins.
Salaün was chosen ahead of Sophie Cunningham, Cameron Brink, and Jewell Loyd, but ultimately prevailed with the unanimous backing of the panel.
The award comes before the semifinals
The individual recognition also comes in the midst of Golden State's title run. The Valkyries began their semifinal series against the Las Vegas Aces this Sunday after defeating the Dallas Wings in the first round.
Salaün faces that playoff series after completing a season in which she left her name in several WNBA record books. The Sixth Woman of the Year award is the individual recognition for a campaign that had already been marked by her records off the bench.
