International excellence found its American stage as Janelle Salaün delivered 16 points in one of her best games of her debut season in the W, proving why the Valkyries invested heavily in European talent during their expansion build. The French forward had spent months preparing for this moment through film sessions and Zoom calls while finishing her championship run in Italy, where she captured Finals MVP honors before crossing the Atlantic. Her complete offensive showcase included transition buckets, corner three-pointers, and physical drives through traffic that demonstrated the versatility that made her indispensable to France's Olympic silver medal campaign. Each possession revealed new layers of her skill set - the kind of well-rounded production that transforms expansion franchises from hopeful experiments into legitimate competitors. Golden State's international recruitment strategy crystallized through her seamless integration, as she immediately provided the two-way impact that championship-caliber teams require. The Chase Center crowd witnessed the future taking shape, watching a player whose professional experience spans continents bring world-class basketball to the Bay Area expansion project. She contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, three steals and three assists. · Jul 26, 2025