Janelle Salaün, Pauline Astier, and Gabby Williams were recognized by the Associated Press for their outstanding performances during the 2026 WNBA season. France, which has the second-largest representation in the league, had seven players featured in the ESPN top 50 rankings, with several receiving major honors from the Associated Press editorial team. Earlier in the year, the team had also recognized Dominique Malonga for her contributions. Janelle Salaün was named the sixth woman of the year, an honor that highlights her consistent performance despite losing her starting position with the Golden State Valkyries. During the season, she boosted her scoring average to 12.7 points per game and improved her efficiency, particularly in long-range shooting, where she is nearing a 40% success rate. Gabby Williams, who is a reigning world champion, was selected to the All-Second Team alongside Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers. This season marked her best performance with the Valkyries and solidified her reputation as the Best Defender of the last World Championship. Her combination of defensive prowess and overall play was a key factor in her recognition. Pauline Astier, who holds the record for the best rookie scorer in the history of the New York Liberty, was named to the All-Rookie Team. Her impressive debut season showcased her scoring ability and helped her stand out among her peers. The complete list of awards for the 2026 WNBA season includes: - Player of the year: A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) - Defender of the year: Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream) - Rookie of the year: Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx), elected unanimously - Sixth woman of the year: Janelle Salaün (Golden State Valkyries) - Most improved player: Jessica Shepard (Dallas Wings) - Comeback of the year: Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever) - Coach of the year: Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx) - All-WNBA First Team: A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas), Breanna Stewart (New York), Caitlin Clark (Indiana), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana), and Olivia Miles (Minnesota) - All-WNBA Second Team: Angel Reese (Atlanta), Rhyne Howard (Atlanta), Gabby Williams (Golden State), Paige Bueckers (Dallas), and Jackie Young (Las Vegas) - All-Rookie Team: Olivia Miles (Minnesota), Flau'jae Johnson (Seattle), Azzi Fudd (Dallas), Sydney Taylor (Chicago), Kiki Rice (Toronto), and Pauline Astier (New York) (six players are listed due to a tie for the last position).