Valkyries sign free agents forward Janelle Salaün, center Kyara Linskens, and forward Chloe Bibby.

Three Players Set To Join Valkyries In April For Training Camp

The whole 2025 Valkyries Free Agency series is indexed here.

Apricot says:

The first GSV group of new free agents!

Salaun started for the silver medal French team. Linskens excelled for Belgium with other Valkyrie Vanloo. Bibby poured in points in EuroCup

Reading between the lines, GSV hasn’t yet had luck with WNBA free agents so by strategy and necessity, GSV are tapping the international pool of talent that hasn’t yet played in the WNBA.

Here’s a first look at the players

The Golden State Valkyries announced today:

GSV have signed forward Janelle Salaün, center Kyara Linskens, and forward Chloe Bibby.

Janelle Salaün

A member of the French National Team, Salaün started for France in their silver medal run at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 6-2 forward, known for her scoring versatility and defensive ability to guard all five positions, is competing with Famila Schio in Italian Serie A1 where she is averaging 14.8 points per game and is shooting 37.3% from the three-point line. Prior to that she helped lead Villeneuve-d'Ascq to the 2023-2024 EuroLeague final and French League National Championship.

"Janelle is a special talent who possesses that rare combination of relentless drive and pure competitiveness," said Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase. "She's the type of player who hunts for wins and brings an intensity that cannot be taught. Her mentality and approach to the game make her exactly the type of player we want to build around as we establish our foundation in the league.”

Kyara Linskens

Linskens brings international experience as a standout center from Belgium's National Team, helping lead Belgium to fourth place at the 2022 FIBA World Cup, where she delivered a key performance of 24 points and 13 rebounds in a crucial victory over Puerto Rico. The 6-4 player continued her impressive international play in 2023, playing a key role in Belgium's historic first-ever European Championship gold medal. She has established herself competing at a high level in European competition.

Chloe Bibby

Chloe Bibby joins the Valkyries, playing with Uni Girona CB in EuroCup. Bibby has made an immediate impact in her first EuroCup season, emerging as one of the competition's top offensive threats while averaging 18 points per game and shooting 47% from three-point range. The 6-1 forward played college basketball at both Mississippi State and Maryland, where she showcased her versatility and three-point shooting ability. During her graduate season at Maryland (2021-22), Bibby played in every game and scored in double figures 20 times. She reached 1,000 career points and recorded a season-high 23 points twice.

"Kyara's international experience, fast-paced and aggressive style of play, combined with Chloe's versatility and shooting ability, give us two competitors who fit exactly what we're looking for as we build this roster," said Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin. “They both understand what we're building and are ready to help establish something special.”

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The Valkyries open their inaugural season on May 16 at Chase Center against the Los Angeles Sparks at 7pm.