Janelle Salaün’s rookie season in the WNBA was incredibly successful. She helped lead the Golden State Valkyries to a historic postseason appearance and was rewarded with a spot on the All-Rookie team for her efforts. Salaün also found much success before coming to the WNBA, though.
In the 2023-24 season, she reached the EuroLeague finals with Villeneuve-d’Asq and won the French league championship. She was also named the league MVP. Just a few months later, she won a silver medal with the French national team in Paris. In the 2024-25 season, Salaün played for Famila Schio in Italy, winning another league championship and taking home the Finals MVP award.
Her 2025 season with the Valkyries was simply a continuation of seemingly endless winning basketball. The 2025-26 season presents the perfect opportunity for Salaün to continue that impressive streak and add more titles to her resume. Salaün is playing for ZVVZ USK Praha this season—a team that is expected to find a lot of success.
Praha finished high in the latest EuroLeague power rankings
ZVVZ USK Praha has found much success in recent years. Led by Brionna Jones and Valeriane Ayayi, they won the EuroLeague title last season. The club also won four consecutive titles in the Czech Women’s Basketball League.
The 2025-26 season promises another successful run for the Czech club. Jones and Ayayi will continue to lead the team, and Janelle Salaün, Pauline Astier, Emma Cechova, and Makayla Timpson offer an influx of interesting young talent.
All this talent led to a top-two ranking in the latest EuroLeague power rankings. The Turkish club Fenerbahce ranked first. Between Emma Meesseman, Jonquel Jones, Gabby Williams, Julie Allemand, Iliana Rupert, and Dominique Malonga, Fenerbahce has a lot of talent and the chance to win its third title in four years.
Praha ranked second, ahead of Galatsaray Cagdas Faktoring, Valencia Basket Club, and Beretta Famila Schio, which rounded out the top five.
Even if Salaün doesn’t win a EuroLeague championship with her new club, she has the chance to add a Czech Women’s Basketball League title to her resume and continue her string of winning basketball.
Janelle Salaün isn’t the only Valkyries player in action in Europe this season
Salaün is one of many Valkyries players showing off their talent in Europe this season. Fellow French rookie Carla Leite is playing for Cadademont Zaragoza, and 2025 first-round pick Juste Jocyte is suiting up for Spar Girona alongside Laeticia Amihere. Cecilia Zandalasini is playing for Famila Schio this season. Kaila Charles is taking her talents to Venezia, and Iliana Rupert joined powerhouse Fenerbahce.