Janelle Salaün has made her EuroBasket decision, and it's not one that many Golden State Valkyries will be pleased: the 6'3" forward has opted to go back to Europe to play in the tournament in support of the French National Team.
Salaün has rapidly become a fan favorite for the Valkyries due to her on-the-court skills and her friendship with fellow French teammate Carla Leite. She's a killer who has fully embraced the Valkyries' style of play and culture in a short time, and her absence throughout the duration of EuroBasket will be deeply felt.
Still, the decision is what Salaün felt is right for her. The opportunity to represent her home country is a massive one, and EuroBasket is one of the most important tournaments of the year — it serves as a qualifier for the World Cup, which is a qualifier for the 2028 Olympics. If Salaün hopes to represent France in the Los Angeles Games (something she should definitely strive for), playing in EuroBasket is absolutely necessary.
What is EuroBasket?
The women's EuroBasket tournament takes place every other year. This year's EuroBasket will take place June 18-29 and is the first hosted by four countries (Czechia, Germany, Greece, and Italy), which will hopefully make the competition more accessible for fans who want to attend games. The tournament is also televised, and American fans should consider watching it as much as possible, as the European women's game is dynamic and exciting.
The list of qualified countries includes France, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Portugal, Great Britain, Lithuania, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovakia, Latvia, Hungary, Belgium, Montenegro, and Slovenia. So far, the list of WNBA players who have opted out of the tournament includes Carla Leite, Dominique Malonga, Marine Johannès, and Gabby Williams — all French teammates of Salaün. Leïla Lacan and Marième Badiane have also opted to play in the tournament this year. Julie Vanloo has not yet indicated she's made a decision about whether or not she will play for Belgium in EuroBasket this year.
When will Janelle Salaun come back from EuroBasket?
Salaün will remain at EuroBasket as long as the French team is successful. If they are kicked out of the tournament, she will be required to be back in the Bay Area within 48 hours of their last match.
How can I watch EuroBasket this year?
The bulk of the matches, including the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final game, will take place near Athens, Greece. If you can't watch the games live, FIBA streams EuroBasket on YouTube.