Valkyries reserve Janelle Salaün wins Sixth Player of the Year after big year off the bench
The Golden State Valkyries relied on the best bench in the WNBA, and Janelle Salaün was critical to that success. On Sunday, voters rewarded her for a historic season.
Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün has been named the Sixth Player of the Year for the 2025-2026 WNBA season. Salaün, 25, received unanimous support from the electorate, receiving all 74 votes cast. Known for her strong impact off the bench, this second-year player had one of the best second-unit seasons in league history.
She led all reserves in bench scoring, averaging 12.7 points per game, which marked a career-high. Salaün's contributions were exceptional, tallying 509 regular-season points, the highest by any bench player in WNBA history. She also set records with 93 three-pointers made and 27 games with at least 10 points scored, both firsts for a bench player.
The Valkyries celebrated Salaün before their semifinal series against the Las Vegas Aces. Head coach Natalie Nakase praised the player, describing her as competitive, calm, and thriving in high-pressure situations. In her second year with the team, Salaün shifted to a reserve role after previously starting most games in 2025. Her new position allowed her to lead Golden State's elite bench, which included Tiffany Hayes, Kaitlyn Chen, and Kaila Charles. This core unit helped secure the No. 2 seed in the WNBA playoffs.
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