Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün is officially the 2026 WNBA Sixth Player Award winner, a unanimous selection after a season of breaking records off the bench. She didn’t just win it, every single vote landed in her corner, signaling a truly dominant year as a reserve.
Unanimous Domination From the Bench
Salaün absolutely tore it up coming off the bench for the Valkyries, making it impossible for anyone to vote any other way. A unanimous pick for Sixth Player of the Year is rare, showing just how much impact she had when she stepped on the court. She wasn’t just good for a reserve, she was flat out incredible and left no doubt.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Records Shattered
The stats back up every bit of that unanimous decision. Salaün averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over 40 appearances. But the real story is in the records she smashed: her 509 total points are the most ever in a single season for a reserve player, and her 93 made three-pointers also stand as a new benchmark for players coming off the bench. She rewrote the record books for bench production, plain and simple.
That kind of performance, setting new highs in scoring and long-range bombs, makes Salaün’s unanimous Sixth Player win undeniable. It’s clear she brought a whole new level of firepower off the bench this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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