Valkyries' Janelle Salaun Stands Out as WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Favorite
Janelle Salaun has been a dominant bench contributor for the Golden State Valkyries, averaging 12.9 points per game while shooting 39.7% from three-point range. She ranks second among WNBA bench players in plus-minus and leads all reserves in scoring, with her impact also reflected in advanced metrics like VPM. Despite her production, she remains a key sixth woman for the league's second-best team.
Salaun, in just her second WNBA season, has become the Valkyries' second-leading scorer despite coming off the bench. Her 12.9 points per game lead all reserves by a wide margin, with Los Angeles' Cameron Brink trailing by 3.6 points. The Valkyries currently hold the league's second-best record, and the team outscored opponents by 4.7 points per game with Salaun on the floor. Her advanced metrics also stand out, as her VPM of +1.81 ranks second among bench players, trailing only her teammate Tiffany Hayes. The article notes Salaun could realistically start, but her role as a reserve provides a critical offensive spark for a contending squad.
This recognition could shift how teams value bench production, particularly three-point shooting and efficiency metrics like VPM, when evaluating roster construction. As the WNBA expands and deepens its talent pool, the Sixth Player award may gain prominence as a marker of strategic depth, influencing how fans and analysts measure a team's championship potential. Younger players may see the bench as a viable path to impact, while front offices could prioritize versatile reserves who thrive in defined roles.