Janelle Salaün sat in the locker room when she got a video call. Her brother, Tidjane Salaün, was on the other end with a very special message: “Congratulations on your Sixth Woman of the Year.” The WNBA made it official on the same day the Valkyries opened their semifinal series against the Las Vegas Aces. But there is more to Salaün’s historic achievement than simply winning the award. It’s the way she won it that makes the moment truly special.
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Janelle Salaün has been unanimously selected as the 2026 Kia WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, earning all 74 votes from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. To put that in context: the only player who has previously even come close is Dearica Hamby, who received 41 of the 43 votes in 2019! With that, she also became the first Valkyries player to win the award and the first player in WNBA history to win it unanimously.
Back in the locker room, the energy was wild, as the entire team gathered around her for a classic team lift. Flowers and hugs followed, after which Salaün had a message of her own for the team.
“Thank you, guys. I really like this group; a great bench; we have a great second unit. It wouldn’t be possible without you guys, so thank you,” Salaün said. However, her real emotions started to show afterwards, when she had to collect the award.
Salaün couldn’t control her tears as she held the award. Her entire family had also sent heartfelt video messages, everyone from her grandmother to her father and mother. They were beaming with pride, and rightly so; Salaün reached one of the biggest milestones of her young career. And considering how her season unfolded, it’s easy to understand why the moment meant so much.
Salaün was in just her second WNBA season. During the Valkyries’ inaugural campaign, she was a starter, starting 33 of the 36 games she played. But heading into her sophomore season, things changed for her. With Golden State adding veterans Gabby Williams and Kiah Stokes, head coach Natalie Nakase moved her into a bench role.
This could have felt like a step back, but no. Salaün turned it into the biggest opportunity of her young career. She played all 40 games she appeared in from the bench and averaged 12.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 22 minutes.
With time, Salaün matured in the role a little more each day, and it showed in her numbers. She finished the season with 509 points, the most ever by a reserve in a WNBA season. She shot 42.5% from the field and 39.2% from the 3-point line. She also now holds the record for the most 3-pointers made (93) by a reserve in a WNBA season. Moreover, Salaun now also holds the record for the most games (27) with at least 10 points in a single season.
Moreover, she also has six games in which she recorded at least 20 points in a game, and she is now tied for fourth place with the record. So, she has made a pretty strong case for herself by the time the award rolled in.
One of the players running for the award was the Indiana Fever star, Sophie Cunningham. The Fever guard averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists during the regular season, but her numbers and the Fever’s record simply didn’t match Salaun’s and the Valkyries’. Cunningham was also one of the best 3-point shooters in the league. She shot 41.9% from 3-point range.
However, Salaün’s production stood out, particularly as the Valkyries put together one of the best seasons in their young history. Valkyries were the second-ranked team in the league this season and moved to the semifinal round after defeating the Dallas Wings in the first round.
Salaun was also named the Sixth Woman of the Year by the Associated Press. Salaun was one of the two players among the top players in a race to win a major award this season. Gabby Williams finished second on the Defensive Player of the Year award list.
However, the focus shifts to the playoffs, and she has been quiet so far. During the first-round series against the Dallas Wings, she averaged only 5.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game. She has also shot just 29.2% from the field, including 22.2% from the 3-point line.
If the Valkyries want to make it to the next round, all players have to step up, especially Salaun, whose bench contribution will be crucial for them moving on.