The post Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase celebrates Janelle Salaün’s ‘well-deserved’ WNBA All-Rookie Team selection appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Janelle Salaün added to the Golden State Valkyries’ award total as the French rookie was selected to the WNBA All-Rookie team, the league announced today.

The scandal arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for the league. Coming off a season of record-breaking attendance, television ratings, and sponsorship growth, the WNBA had been enjoying unprecedented momentum. Yet the controversy risks undermining that progress, painting a picture of a league that values hype over honesty. For many fans, the question is no longer just who deserved the rookie award, but whether the WNBA can be trusted to honor true merit in the future.

Comparisons have quickly emerged with other sports leagues where award controversies sparked reform. The NBA, for example, has long faced debates about MVP and Rookie of the Year voting, but its process has generally avoided accusations of outright rigging. For the WNBA, this moment could force changes, such as publishing full voting breakdowns, expanding the panel to include more diverse voices, or introducing a hybrid system that includes input from players and coaches.

Some analysts argue that this controversy, while damaging, could serve as a turning point. If the league responds with transparency, it could reinforce its credibility and strengthen trust with its growing fanbase. On the other hand, if the accusations linger without resolution, the scandal risks overshadowing the achievements of a new generation of talent and tarnishing the award itself for years to come.

Salaün joins a stacked All-Rookie team, headlined by Dallas’s Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers as well as Mystics’ Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, and Storm’s Dominique Malonga. The 24-year-old forward started 33 out of the 36 games she played this season, averaging 11.3 points and 5.1 rebounds a game while shooting 36.6% from the 3-point line.

Valkyries’ coach, Natalie Nakase, expressed her pride in a statement provided by the team.

“Janelle had an exceptional rookie season, and this recognition is well-deserved,” Nakase said. “She’s one of the most driven and focused players I’ve coached. Her mindset is 100% on the game – how she can get better and help this team win. She stepped up all season and showed a maturity which is really impressive for someone in their first year in the WNBA.”

Salaün was an integral part of Nakase and the Valkyries’ up-tempo style of offense. During the regular season, Salaün ranked fourth among WNBA rookies in points per game (11.3) and third in rebounds (5.1) and minutes (27.0) per game. In her exit interview, Salaün talked about her debut season in the WNBA.

“It was great because I think I was in my shell in the beginning,” Salaün said. “My biggest goal was to open up to people and to just come to people and say, ‘How you doing?’ It’s simple, but it’s stuff I wasn’t doing. I was just basketball, basketball, trying to be as professional as I can, which is good. But in order to have good chemistry, to be able to bring your teammates with you, you need to open up a bit. I think I improved in this.”

© John Jones-Imagn Images

Janelle Salaün’s future in Golden State

Salaün, alongside Malonga, made history as the first French-born players named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. She beat out some fierce rookie competition in players like the Finals-bound Mercury’s Monique Akoa Makani, as well as the Sun’s Leila Lacan and Saniya Rivers.

On a team filled with veterans, it was Salaün who played her way into serious consideration for the Valkyries’ plans. The Valkyries will have the option to bring Salaün back next season, should they choose to do so. She, alongside Veronica Burton, seems like a lock if Golden State has to protect players in an expansion draft.

The WNBA is once again under fire after a rookie award controversy has erupted into a full-blown scandal, with coaches, players, and fans questioning the league’s integrity. The uproar began when a star rookie was announced as the recipient of one of the league’s most prestigious honors, sparking immediate backlash across social media and within locker rooms. Multiple teams have gone public with claims that the award was “rigged,” accusing the league of prioritizing marketability over merit.

The tipping point came when a veteran coach, speaking anonymously but described as a highly respected figure within the WNBA, accused league officials of manipulating the voting process. In fiery comments, the coach stated, “This has nothing to do with basketball. It’s about selling jerseys, ticket sales, and media clicks. Everyone knows she didn’t deserve it this season.” The remarks have since spread like wildfire, igniting debates about favoritism, fairness, and transparency in the award system.

Critics point to the rookie’s inconsistent performance throughout the season as evidence that she was not the rightful choice. Despite flashes of brilliance, her stats reportedly trailed behind at least two other first-year players who delivered more consistent production on both ends of the court. Many insiders argue that these overlooked rookies carried heavier roles for their teams, playing crucial minutes in playoff pushes, yet were sidelined in the final award vote.

What has made the scandal even more explosive is the allegation that league executives actively pushed for the chosen rookie to win, citing her strong social media following, endorsement potential, and role as a “face of the future” for the WNBA. The insinuation is that the league’s marketing department wielded as much influence over the decision as the players’ actual on-court performances. Such accusations threaten the credibility of not only this award but also other individual accolades handed out annually.

Players themselves have not shied away from the debate. Several stars have used their platforms to express frustration. One veteran guard tweeted, “Awards are supposed to be earned, not handed out to whoever fits the league’s agenda.” Another commented that the message this sends to rookies is “do what looks good for the cameras, not what wins games.” Fans, too, have joined in, with many posting side-by-side stat comparisons showing that overlooked players had superior numbers in scoring, rebounding, and efficiency.

The controversy has placed the league office in a difficult position. In a brief statement, WNBA officials insisted that the award process was “fair, transparent, and voted on by a panel of experts.” However, the wording left critics unsatisfied, especially given the volume of complaints from coaches and players across multiple franchises. Reports have since surfaced suggesting that at least one team is calling for a formal review of the voting process, potentially opening the door to an internal or even independent investigation.

As the storm rages, the rookie at the center of it all has remained largely silent. Sources close to her say she is “devastated” by the backlash and feels unfairly targeted for something beyond her control. While her on-court performance has been debated, no one disputes her work ethic and commitment to her team. The real issue, critics insist, lies not with the player herself but with the system that elevated her over arguably more deserving candidates.

The scandal now hangs over the postseason, threatening to become a distraction for both players and fans. With calls for an investigation growing louder by the day, the WNBA faces a defining test. Will it defend the status quo, or take bold action to prove that its awards truly reflect excellence on the court? Whatever happens next, this rookie controversy has ensured one thing: the debate over fairness in women’s basketball is far from over.

Additionally, Salaün is an exclusive rights free agent, which prevents her from negotiating with any other team unless Golden State renounces her rights. And based on the season she had in the Valkyries’ inaugural season, it’s highly likely the team retains her as she fits into their plans of contending for titles.