Golden State Secures Janelle Salaün and Iliana Rupert Ahead of the 2026 Season
WNBA - Janelle Salaün and Iliana Rupert will remain in the Golden State fold. As the 2026 WNBA season approaches, the California franchise has extended qualifying offers to both French internationals, confirming its intention to rely on them despite the departure of Carla Leite.
Sep 4, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) is congratulated by center Iliana Rupert (12) after she scored against the Dallas Wings during the second half at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
Photo Credit : © John Hefti-Imagn Images
As the European season draws to a close, highlighted by the EuroLeague Women Final Six in Saragossa (April 15–19), attention is already turning to the WNBA. And at Golden State, the interest French players are moving forward.
Golden State Bets on Continuity with Its French Players
The Valkyries franchise has extended « reserved qualifying offers » to Janelle Salaün and Iliana Rupert. This particular status means the two players can only negotiate with Golden State Valkyries, which retains priority rights over them.
In practice, these offers correspond to a one-year contract at the minimum salary, but discussions can evolve into a longer or more lucrative agreement.
Golden State had already let Carla Leite (6’1″, 21 years old) go, with her being picked up by the new Portland franchise. The decision to retain Salaün and Rupert, however, confirms their place in the team’s sporting project.
Janelle Salaün on a Steady Rise
In her first real WNBA experience, Janelle Salaün (6’2″, 24 years old) delivered a solid season with:
- 11.4 points on 41.1% shooting
- 37.2% from three-point range (4.8 attempts)
- 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 27 minutes
The French forward established herself as a reliable rotation player, capable of providing scoring and physical impact.
Iliana Rupert, a Valuable Outside Shooter
Meanwhile, Iliana Rupert (6’4″, 24 years old) confirmed her profile as a stretch big with:
- 8.8 points on 43.8% shooting
- 43.6% from three-point range
- 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 23 minutes
Her long-range accuracy makes her a valuable piece in Golden State’s offensive spacing.
🪽 Golden State Valkyries extended a Reserved qualifying offer to Iliana Rupert.@valkyries x #WNBATransactions pic.twitter.com/Cmpr5RUTFj
— ʀᴏᴏᴋɪᴇ 👻 (@CoachRookie) April 8, 2026
A New Economic Landscape in the WNBA
These offers come amid a major salary increase in the WNBA. The minimum salary has risen sharply, now reaching approximately $270,000 per year — well above the league’s historical standards.
This is a factor that could weigh on the decisions of European players, who are often torn between FIBA and WNBA seasons.
Eyes on 2026 for the French Internationals
Before crossing the Atlantic, Salaün and Rupert still have important European commitments, with the EuroLeague Women Final Six on the horizon for Rupert, who just won the Turkish championship title.
But one thing is already settled: Golden State is counting on its two French internationals for the 2026 WNBA season.
Gabriel Pantel-Jouve is the founder and editor-in-chief of BeBasket, which he has been running since 2010 (formerly known as Catch & Shoot). Having studied at the École Publique de Journalisme de Tours and two universities in North America, he has developed his expertise in French basketball, from the National League to amateur divisions, over the past 20 years. Alongside this, he is also involved in the development of clubs in the Montpellier area.
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