Making the transition to the WNBA is not always easy for young players. It often comes with a few tough games to start the season. Janelle Salaün didn’t really have that problem. While her first game against the Washington Mystics wasn’t a very efficient performance, she scored double-digits and helped the Valkyries to their first-ever win. She followed that up with a big all-around game against the Los Angeles Sparks.
Then, the Valkyries went to New York to face the reigning champions, and the Liberty’s veterans wasted no time welcoming Salaün to the WNBA with stifling defense and strong offense.
Salaün converted only three of her twelve field-goal attempts, hitting only 3-pointers and struggling to get to the rim, and turned the ball over four times.
Salaün struggled against the Liberty’s veterans
The Washington Mystics have been better than expected to start the season, and the Los Angeles Sparks feature two All-Stars in Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby. Nevertheless, going up against those teams was nothing like playing the New York Liberty.
The Liberty are an experienced veteran team and gave the Valkyries little room to create anything on either end of the floor. Salaün, in particular, felt the Liberty’s strength.
The youngster started the game matched up against two-time MVP Breanna Stewart, who made Salaün’s life incredibly difficult. Stewart didn’t give up any easy shots, forcing Salaün to take mostly contested jumpers from three or the mid-range. It took almost the entire first quarter for Salaün to hit a shot.
Even when Stewart was not on Salaün, things didn’t get much easier for the rookie. Jonquel Jones and Natasha Cloud, two of the Liberty’s best defenders, frequently switched on to her and Leonie Fiebich also took over the assignment for a while. That was undoubtedly the toughest defense Salaün faced in her young WNBA career.
She didn’t have it much easier on the other end of the floor. Having to guard Breanna Stewart is a tall task for anyone, but especially for a rookie just playing her third WNBA game. Salaün has the tools to be a great defender at the WNBA level and went up against great players, like Gabby Williams, in Europe, but guarding Stewart was still a challenge.
Salaün is still on track to put together a great rookie season
Every rookie gets a welcome to the WNBA moment sooner or later. For Salaün, it was going up against one of the strongest veteran teams in the league. On the bright side, this game should prepare her for the Valkyries’ next few games against strong competition.
Even after a rough shooting game, Salaün is on track to put together a great rookie season. Being a professional basketball player is nothing new to her and she will undoubtedly bounce back. Salaün has an incredibly high ceiling and may even put her name into the Rookie of the Year conversation.