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Par Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Journaliste sportif
Undrafted in 2023, Janelle Salaün nonetheless entered the WNBA this year and has so far enjoyed a highly encouraging rookie season. Asked to take stock of her adventure there, the Frenchwoman spoke of the difficulties she is encountering.
At the age of 23, her CV was already impressive. French champion and EuroLeague finalist in 2024, winner of a league and cup double in Italy this season, silver medallist at the Paris Olympics… Janelle Salaün could be proud of her achievements as they stand. But before taking part in this summer’s Eurobasket with the French national team, she has decided to take on a new challenge… in the WNBA.
Janelle Salaün honest about WNBA requirements
Signed by the new Golden State Valkyries franchise, Salaün’s performances so far in the USA have been highly satisfactory. Her best performance to date came on Monday, when she compiled 21 points and 8 rebounds in her team’s victory over the Sparks. A fitting embodiment of the new French wave sweeping the WNBA, which she praised in a press conference:
Janelle Salaün: It’s true that there’s more and more enthusiasm in France for the WNBA. It’s refreshing and encouraging for the future. I hope that through our performances, whether my own, those of Carla (Leite, her Golden State team-mate) or those of the other French girls, we’ll continue to help people in France discover the league.
Clearly pleased with the growing influence of the WNBA in her country, the young winger hopes to inspire young female basketball players to follow in her footsteps. After all, this could only be good for French basketball, which already has an important place on the international stage. However, in her opinion, her potential successors would do well to prepare themselves physically for the infernal pace of the league:
Janelle Salaün: To be honest, I find it really hard physically. Before you get to this league, I don’t think you realize how difficult and physically demanding it is to play every game. In fact, I think I hit a wall after my (fifth) game here, against Minnesota. And yeah, since then, it’s been complicated physically.
The last few matches have been difficult for me at this level, and this one too. But in a way, it’s a good thing because it will enable me to keep improving. But without lying to you, frankly, it’s very hard.
France’s future representatives on the other side of the Atlantic know where they stand with this warning.
