Latest news with #Salaun
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Storm make first visit to short-handed Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries are expected to be without three key players when they host the Seattle Storm on Saturday night in the continuation of the Commissioner's Cup in San Francisco. Among those expected to be away from the team at FIBA EuroBasket 2025 for potentially more than two weeks is Janelle Salaun of France. Salaun contributed 21 points for Golden State in an 89-81 overtime road victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday. The win improved the Valkyries' record in Commissioner's Cup play to 2-2 with two games remaining in conference play. Julie Vanloo, who made her second start against the Sparks, will play for Belgium in the EuroBasket tournament, while Cecilia Zandalasini, who had 18 points in the Valkyries' most recent home game a 95-68 thrashing of the Las Vegas Aces will represent Italy. FIBA EuroBasket 2025, critical for European national teams attempting to qualify for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, concludes June 29. "We have a plan. You have to be ready," said Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, whose team added veteran free agent Aerial Powers to fill one of the roster vacancies. "Obviously we want them to go with their heart. We're supporting if they want to go to Eurobasket; we're supporting if they want to stay." The Valkyries' roster also includes England native Temi Fagbenle and Carla Leite of France. Leite is expected to remain with Golden State, while Fagbenle is on England's roster, but neither she nor the Valkyries have announced her intentions. The Storm seem to have survived the exporting of WNBA talent, with Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga, a pair of French standouts, electing to stay with the club. Seattle gained the upper hand in the Western Conference standings of the Commissioner's Cup at 3-1 with a 94-84 home win over the previously unbeaten Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday. The win was the third in a row for Seattle . The Storm and Lynx currently are tied for the West's top spot in the Cup standings, with Seattle owning the tiebreaker edge. Each team has two games remaining, with the conference's top club earning a spot in the Cup finals on July 1. Seattle's visit to San Francisco will be its first in the Valkyries' inaugural season. It serves as a homecoming of sorts for former Stanford star Nneka Ogwumike, who had a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in the win over Minnesota. The 14-year WNBA veteran, a Texas native, recognizes her decision to attend Stanford was life changing. "I'm from Houston, so I'm Southern, I'm officially a West Coast girl," Ogwumike said. "I've been in the Bay , I've been in L.A. , and now I'm in the PNW . The West Coast just feels good for me." Field Level Media
NBC Sports
20-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
French star Janelle Salaun prepares for WNBA debut with expansion Golden State Valkyries
OAKLAND, Calif. — Janelle Salaun finished up her individual shooting drills after practice with the Golden State Valkyries and proclaimed herself more than ready to make her WNBA debut. She hopes that will be against the Washington Mystics in front of the the boisterous Bay Area fans. Even with a late start from playing overseas and learning curve moving from the EuroLeague and adjustments that come with moving across the world to play professionally, the 23-year-old forward realizes she has landed in the right spot with supportive international teammates on an expansion team in basketball-loving Northern California. The transition has been a bit daunting since she arrived but each day Salaun makes strides in feeling more familiar with everything on and off the court — and she said there are no comforts she needs at her home because 'I'm really 100% ... it's really basketball, basketball that helps me be more comfortable. I'm here for this.' 'I need to adjust quickly and that's the most challenging part for me but we are Day 2 and I feel much better,' she said. 'People are great here and helped me a lot. Everybody is trying to give me the rhythm and and I'm really grateful for that. I appreciate everyone here — coaches, players, everyone is trying to help me.' A silver medalist with France at the Paris Olympics last summer, Salaun is fresh off leading Beretta Famila Schio to the Italian League title and Finals MVP honors. There are plenty of similarities in Golden State's style of play. 'Physically, we run a lot. I love that actually,' she said. 'I think this is the part of my game that will translate the most, the physicality, and I feel it. ... Little things really, but it's still basketball. I'm still playing with great players, so not much differences but more like things that look alike.' Valkyries teammate Carla Leite played alongside Salaun on the French national team and will do her best to assist getting Salaun acclimated in the coming weeks and months. 'She's a great shooter, she runs and she's very tall,' Leite said. 'I think it's difficult to arrive late so I need to help her, on defense and offense. And Salaun is beginning to learn the plays and various sets ahead of the team's second game at Chase Center, where the Valkyries sold out their long-anticipated opener. The coaches arrived early at the Oakland training facility to work with Salaun. 'She's picking things up really fast,' coach Natalie Nakase said. 'But we were sending her stuff when she played overseas, we were sending her film, we were doing Zoom sessions. We're preparing her.' Part of that also will be monitoring her court time early on to avoid overuse considering Salaun has been playing. Each activity she does is carefully thought out to keep her fresh and healthy. 'I don't know if it's a curse that she just came from a championship series, so she's already in shape,' Nakase said. 'We've talked about does she need a break? We're going to monitor that over the next month to make sure, which we are. Our medical team is doing a great job giving the amount of minutes that she can scrimmage and for every drill they tell me exactly how many minutes she needs to go.' All of that care and attention to detail means so much to Salaun. 'Everyone is trying their best to get me comfortable,' she said. 'It's actually great.'
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
French star Janelle Salaun prepares for WNBA debut with expansion Golden State Valkyries
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Janelle Salaun finished up her individual shooting drills after practice with the Golden State Valkyries on Monday and proclaimed herself more than ready to make her WNBA debut. She hopes that will be Wednesday night against the Washington Mystics in front of the the boisterous Bay Area fans. Even with a late start from playing overseas and learning curve moving from the EuroLeague and adjustments that come with moving across the world to play professionally, the 23-year-old forward realizes she has landed in the right spot with supportive international teammates on an expansion team in basketball-loving Northern California. The transition has been a bit daunting since she arrived Thursday but each day Salaun makes strides in feeling more familiar with everything on and off the court — and she said there are no comforts she needs at her home because 'I'm really 100% ... it's really basketball, basketball that helps me be more comfortable. I'm here for this.' 'I need to adjust quickly and that's the most challenging part for me but we are Day 2 and I feel much better,' she said. 'People are great here and helped me a lot. Everybody is trying to give me the rhythm and and I'm really grateful for that. I appreciate everyone here — coaches, players, everyone is trying to help me.' A silver medalist with France at the Paris Olympics last summer, Salaun is fresh off leading Beretta Famila Schio to the Italian League title and Finals MVP honors. There are plenty of similarities in Golden State's style of play. 'Physically, we run a lot. I love that actually,' she said. 'I think this is the part of my game that will translate the most, the physicality, and I feel it. ... Little things really, but it's still basketball. I'm still playing with great players, so not much differences but more like things that look alike.' Valkyries teammate Carla Leite played alongside Salaun on the French national team and will do her best to assist getting Salaun acclimated in the coming weeks and months. 'She's a great shooter, she runs and she's very tall,' Leite said. 'I think it's difficult to arrive late so I need to help her, on defense and offense. And Salaun is beginning to learn the plays and various sets ahead of the team's second game Wednesday at Chase Center, where the Valkyries sold out their long-anticipated opener on Friday. The coaches arrived early at the Oakland training facility Monday to work with Salaun. 'She's picking things up really fast,' coach Natalie Nakase said. 'But we were sending her stuff when she played overseas, we were sending her film, we were doing Zoom sessions. We're preparing her.' Part of that also will be monitoring her court time early on to avoid overuse considering Salaun has been playing. Each activity she does is carefully thought out to keep her fresh and healthy. 'I don't know if it's a curse that she just came from a championship series, so she's already in shape,' Nakase said. 'We've talked about does she need a break? We're going to monitor that over the next month to make sure, which we are. Our medical team is doing a great job giving the amount of minutes that she can scrimmage and for every drill they tell me exactly how many minutes she needs to go.' All of that care and attention to detail means so much to Salaun. 'Everyone is trying their best to get me comfortable,' she said. 'It's actually great.' ___ AP WNBA:
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
French star Janelle Salaun prepares for WNBA debut with expansion Golden State Valkyries
FILE - Janelle Salaun (13), of France, celebrates a three-pointer against Belgium during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File) OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Janelle Salaun finished up her individual shooting drills after practice with the Golden State Valkyries on Monday and proclaimed herself more than ready to make her WNBA debut. She hopes that will be Wednesday night against the Washington Mystics in front of the the boisterous Bay Area fans. Advertisement Even with a late start from playing overseas and learning curve moving from the EuroLeague and adjustments that come with moving across the world to play professionally, the 23-year-old forward realizes she has landed in the right spot with supportive international teammates on an expansion team in basketball-loving Northern California. The transition has been a bit daunting since she arrived Thursday but each day Salaun makes strides in feeling more familiar with everything on and off the court — and she said there are no comforts she needs at her home because 'I'm really 100% ... it's really basketball, basketball that helps me be more comfortable. I'm here for this.' 'I need to adjust quickly and that's the most challenging part for me but we are Day 2 and I feel much better,' she said. 'People are great here and helped me a lot. Everybody is trying to give me the rhythm and and I'm really grateful for that. I appreciate everyone here — coaches, players, everyone is trying to help me.' A silver medalist with France at the Paris Olympics last summer, Salaun is fresh off leading Beretta Famila Schio to the Italian League title and Finals MVP honors. Advertisement There are plenty of similarities in Golden State's style of play. 'Physically, we run a lot. I love that actually,' she said. 'I think this is the part of my game that will translate the most, the physicality, and I feel it. ... Little things really, but it's still basketball. I'm still playing with great players, so not much differences but more like things that look alike.' Valkyries teammate Carla Leite played alongside Salaun on the French national team and will do her best to assist getting Salaun acclimated in the coming weeks and months. "She's a great shooter, she runs and she's very tall," Leite said. "I think it's difficult to arrive late so I need to help her, on defense and offense. Advertisement And Salaun is beginning to learn the plays and various sets ahead of the team's second game Wednesday at Chase Center, where the Valkyries sold out their long-anticipated opener on Friday. The coaches arrived early at the Oakland training facility Monday to work with Salaun. 'She's picking things up really fast,' coach Natalie Nakase said. 'But we were sending her stuff when she played overseas, we were sending her film, we were doing Zoom sessions. We're preparing her.' Part of that also will be monitoring her court time early on to avoid overuse considering Salaun has been playing. Each activity she does is carefully thought out to keep her fresh and healthy. Advertisement 'I don't know if it's a curse that she just came from a championship series, so she's already in shape,' Nakase said. 'We've talked about does she need a break? We're going to monitor that over the next month to make sure, which we are. Our medical team is doing a great job giving the amount of minutes that she can scrimmage and for every drill they tell me exactly how many minutes she needs to go.' All of that care and attention to detail means so much to Salaun. 'Everyone is trying their best to get me comfortable,' she said. 'It's actually great.' ___ AP WNBA:
Winnipeg Free Press
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
French star Janelle Salaun prepares for WNBA debut with expansion Golden State Valkyries
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Janelle Salaun finished up her individual shooting drills after practice with the Golden State Valkyries on Monday and proclaimed herself more than ready to make her WNBA debut. She hopes that will be Wednesday night against the Washington Mystics in front of the the boisterous Bay Area fans. Even with a late start from playing overseas and learning curve moving from the EuroLeague and adjustments that come with moving across the world to play professionally, the 23-year-old forward realizes she has landed in the right spot with supportive international teammates on an expansion team in basketball-loving Northern California. The transition has been a bit daunting since she arrived Thursday but each day Salaun makes strides in feeling more familiar with everything on and off the court — and she said there are no comforts she needs at her home because 'I'm really 100% … it's really basketball, basketball that helps me be more comfortable. I'm here for this.' 'I need to adjust quickly and that's the most challenging part for me but we are Day 2 and I feel much better,' she said. 'People are great here and helped me a lot. Everybody is trying to give me the rhythm and and I'm really grateful for that. I appreciate everyone here — coaches, players, everyone is trying to help me.' A silver medalist with France at the Paris Olympics last summer, Salaun is fresh off leading Beretta Famila Schio to the Italian League title and Finals MVP honors. There are plenty of similarities in Golden State's style of play. 'Physically, we run a lot. I love that actually,' she said. 'I think this is the part of my game that will translate the most, the physicality, and I feel it. … Little things really, but it's still basketball. I'm still playing with great players, so not much differences but more like things that look alike.' Valkyries teammate Carla Leite played alongside Salaun on the French national team and will do her best to assist getting Salaun acclimated in the coming weeks and months. 'She's a great shooter, she runs and she's very tall,' Leite said. 'I think it's difficult to arrive late so I need to help her, on defense and offense. And Salaun is beginning to learn the plays and various sets ahead of the team's second game Wednesday at Chase Center, where the Valkyries sold out their long-anticipated opener on Friday. The coaches arrived early at the Oakland training facility Monday to work with Salaun. 'She's picking things up really fast,' coach Natalie Nakase said. 'But we were sending her stuff when she played overseas, we were sending her film, we were doing Zoom sessions. We're preparing her.' Part of that also will be monitoring her court time early on to avoid overuse considering Salaun has been playing. Each activity she does is carefully thought out to keep her fresh and healthy. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'I don't know if it's a curse that she just came from a championship series, so she's already in shape,' Nakase said. 'We've talked about does she need a break? We're going to monitor that over the next month to make sure, which we are. Our medical team is doing a great job giving the amount of minutes that she can scrimmage and for every drill they tell me exactly how many minutes she needs to go.' All of that care and attention to detail means so much to Salaun. 'Everyone is trying their best to get me comfortable,' she said. 'It's actually great.' ___ AP WNBA:
