Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün won the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award Sunday, Oct. 4. She received all 74 votes from the selection panel. The honor recognized her production from the bench during the 2026 season.
The season behind the award
Salaün appeared in 40 games, all as a reserve. She averaged 12.7 points, four rebounds and 1.2 assists. Her 509 points established a single-season league record for a reserve player.
Salaün also made 93 3-pointers, another reserve record. She shot 39.2 percent from beyond the arc. The award followed her selection to the WNBA All-Rookie Team after the previous season.
CSB Take
The unanimous vote reflects how strongly Salaün’s season stood out within her role. Her scoring gave Golden State production beyond its starting group. That depth is an important part of the team’s ability to compete across different matchups.
