Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün just landed the 2026 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award, and get this: it was a unanimous vote, the WNBA announced Sunday. Talk about making a statement! This comes down right as her Valkyries squad is kicking off their semifinals series against the Las Vegas Aces today after they already bounced the Dallas Wings in the first round. It’s go time, and Salaün is bringing major momentum with her.
Coming Off the Bench and Dominating the Game
This award isn’t just handed out; it’s for the player who has the biggest impact on their team while consistently coming off the bench. And Salaün? She played in all 40 games this season, and every single one was as a bench player. She didn’t just meet the eligibility requirements; she owned them. Her numbers jump right off the stat sheet too: averaging 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in just 22.1 minutes per game. Plus, she was shooting 42.5% from the field and an impressive 39.2% from downtown. She’s only been in the league for two years, and this is already her first professional award, a huge leap from just making the WNBA All-Rookie Team last year. It’s clear she committed to that bench role and made it her own personal launching pad.
Valkyries on the Rise, Thanks to Salaün’s Growth
Salaün’s incredible performance isn’t just about individual accolades; it directly translates to team success. She was a massive part of Golden State’s 32-12 regular season record, which was the second-best mark in the entire league, trailing only the Minnesota Lynx who snagged the No. 1 seed at 33-11. Remember, the Valkyries were an expansion team just last year, making the playoffs with a 23-21 record but falling in the first round. Salaün took a massive step forward this season, helping them add a whopping nine more wins to their tally. That’s a huge jump for any team, especially one still building its foundation. The team clearly recognized her value, too, signing her to a two-year extension after the 2025 season, keeping her under contract through next year before she hits free agency in 2028.
Now, with the Sixth Player of the Year hardware firmly in hand, Salaün and the Valkyries are ready for the Las Vegas Aces. It’s game on for the semifinals, and after a season like this, you just know Salaün is going to leave it all on the court.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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