The Golden State Valkyries announced the team's final roster on Wednesday, two days before the WNBA deadline and before the team hits the court for the first time in the regular season. The list included a lot of players that many fans expected — Kate Martin, Monique Billings, Kayla Thornton, and Julie Vanloo all have spots — but also a few names that American fans aren't as familiar with.
The official 2025 Golden State Valkyries roster includes: Carla Leite, Kayla Thornton, Stephanie Talbot, Janelle Saluan, Temi Fagbenle, Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini, Monique Billings, Kyara Linskens, and Julie Vanloo. Fan favorites Laeticia Amihere and Kaitlyn Chen were unfortunately among those who were waived — a tough reality of the WNBA right now remains that there are simply not enough teams and roster spots for the talent that exists, and being drafted to a team doesn't mean that you will ultimately wear a jersey once the season begins.
One player who made the roster is Janelle Salaün, who the Valkyries signed to a training camp contract in February. Unlike most of the members of the then 18-strong training camp roster, Salaün hasn't yet reported to the Bay Area — but all that is set to change imminently, as she was part of the team that won the Italian league (and she was even named MVP).
A lot of American fans aren't as familiar with Salaün, but all of that is about to change.
Janelle Salaün has Olympic experience
Salaün is a member of the French National Team and was on the squad during the team's silver medal finish at the Paris Olympic Games last year. She's a key member of the French squad and was a starter throughout the team's Olympic run.
She signed her first professional contract in 2018
Like a lot of her European counterparts, Salaün has been playing professional basketball for several years. She signed her first contract with Flammes Carlo in 2018 — when she was 17. She joined Villeneuve-d'Ascq the following season (the same team that Domonique Malonga, this year's No. 2 overall draft pick, played for).
Janelle Salaün is a top European talent
The Valkyries were not the only WNBA team interested in signing Salaün during free agency this year. She's an enormously versatile two-way talent, and is offensively gifted. She's a solid 3-point shooter and fits right in with Natalie Nakase's vision for the Valkyries, which emphasizes shooting and defensive prowess.