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.

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.

The coach who first sounded the alarm did not mince words in post-award interviews, stating bluntly that the process “is rigged to protect the league’s image.” While the coach avoided naming the winning rookie directly, the implication was clear: the league prioritized marketability over fairness. This sparked immediate backlash online, where fans flooded social media with side-by-side stat comparisons showing other rookies outpacing the winner in nearly every category. Hashtags like #RiggedROY and #WNBAIntegrity began trending, signaling that the debate had gone far beyond locker room chatter.

Behind the scenes, league executives are scrambling to control the narrative. Sources suggest the WNBA is considering releasing more transparency about how votes are cast and what criteria are weighed in order to cool tensions. Still, the damage may already be done. Players have reportedly voiced frustration in private conversations, with some veterans warning that favoritism in awards could fracture trust between athletes and the league office. The prospect of an investigation—whether internal or pushed by team owners—now hangs in the air.

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.”

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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 facing a storm of controversy after the league’s Rookie of the Year award selection sparked widespread outrage among players, coaches, and fans. What should have been a celebration of young talent has quickly spiraled into a scandal that threatens to overshadow the league’s postseason buzz. Multiple teams are publicly questioning whether the award process is fair, while one coach has gone so far as to claim the system is “rigged” to favor certain players and markets. The accusations have ignited debate across the sports world, with whispers of a potential investigation looming.

The uproar began when the league announced its Rookie of the Year winner, a talented but polarizing figure whose selection left many stunned. According to insiders, several teams had been lobbying for different rookies whose stats and impact seemed more deserving, but the final decision raised eyebrows for appearing more tied to media narrative and marketability than on-court performance. The phrase “She doesn’t deserve it” has been repeated by anonymous sources from multiple franchises, highlighting just how divided the league has become over this decision.

For many, the scandal is not just about one player but about the credibility of the WNBA’s awards process. Fans and analysts have noted that the league has an ongoing challenge balancing its desire to grow the brand with its duty to reward merit. By selecting a player viewed as less statistically dominant but more media-friendly, critics argue the WNBA has undermined its own integrity. The idea that awards might be influenced by outside factors—such as television ratings, endorsements, or narratives crafted by the league itself—has left a sour taste for those who want competition to remain the sole determining factor.

The scandal also raises larger questions about how the WNBA markets its stars. With competition for viewership at an all-time high, the league has leaned heavily into narratives that make certain players more visible and relatable to fans. But if the perception grows that awards are predetermined to fit those narratives, it could backfire, alienating diehard supporters who value authenticity. For rookies who work tirelessly to earn recognition, the idea that politics may overshadow performance could be demoralizing.

Despite the backlash, some voices have defended the decision, arguing that awards are about more than raw numbers. They point to leadership, intangibles, and a player’s ability to elevate the league’s profile as legitimate factors in the voting process. Supporters of the chosen rookie insist that she embodies the spirit of what the WNBA is building—a new generation of stars capable of carrying the brand into the future. Still, critics remain unconvinced, demanding reforms to ensure awards reflect performance above all else.

The fallout from this Rookie of the Year scandal is far from over. As media scrutiny intensifies and fan outrage grows louder, the WNBA faces a crucial test of its credibility. Will the league double down on its decision, or will it acknowledge the calls for reform and transparency? For now, the controversy has injected a level of drama rarely seen in women’s basketball, transforming what should have been a milestone celebration into a contentious battle over fairness, integrity, and the very identity of the league.

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.