Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün was named the Associated Press (AP) Sixth Woman of the Year, and guard Gabby Williams was selected to the All-AP WNBA Second Team, the AP announced Sunday. The awards were voted on by a panel of national women’s basketball sportswriters.
Salaün’s 12.7 points per game led all reserve players this season and ranked seventh all-time in league history. This year she set all-time single-season WNBA records for total points (509), threes (93), and threes per game (2.3) by a reserve player. The forward shot 39.2 percent from deep this season, which ranked fourth in the league among players with at least five attempts per game. Salaün’s 27 10-point games this year are the most by a reserve player in league history, and her six 20-point games are tied for the fourth most in a season by a reserve in WNBA history.
Williams led Golden State in scoring with a career-best 14.4 points per game, and her six 20-point games were tied for the team lead. A top defender in the WNBA, Williams ranked second in the W with 24 NET defensive points, fourth in defensive WAR at 1.4, ninth in defensive win share at .162, and her 1.6 steals per game were the fifth-most in the league this season. Williams earned her second-career WNBA All-Star selection earlier this season, becoming Golden State’s first-ever All-Star starter.
WNBA awards will be announced at a later date.
Golden State tips off the postseason today, September 27 at 6 p.m. against the Dallas Wings at Chase Center and airing on USA/CNBC, 95.7 The Game, ESPN 1320, and The Audacy App.
Associated Press Awards History
2026 Janelle Salaün Sixth Woman of the Year
Gabby Williams All-WNBA Second Team
2025 Veronica Burton Most Improved Player
Natalie Nakase Coach of the Year
Janelle Salaün All-Rookie Team
For more information on the Golden State Valkyries 2026 season, presented by Kaiser Permanente, visit valkyries.com.
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