Indiana Fever should convince this overseas player to join the WNBA

Indiana’s main goal this offseason will be to round out the roster around Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell. The team is clearly looking to build the foundation for a championship team, bringing in a more experienced head coach and planning to re-sign Kelsey Mitchell, who is entering unrestricted free agency. 

The Fever have been linked to forward Satou Sabally due to some social media activity on her part, but even if it is not her, the Fever will likely go star hunting this offseason. 

Signing current WNBA players is not the only way teams can round out their rosters, though. The EuroLeague Women season may be on a break right now due to the qualifying games for the next FIBA Women’s EuroBasket competition, but the league has already seen some young players put on a show. One of them in particular could be a great fit for the Indiana Fever. 

The Fever should keep an eye on Janelle Salaün 

Janelle Salaün is one of the young players currently making a name for herself with her EuroLeague play. Over four EuroLeague games so far, she is averaging 17.8 points on very efficient shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2 steals in her first season with the Italian club Beretta Famila Schio. 

The 23-year-old from France is no stranger in European basketball circles. She already played with the French U16, U17, and U20 national teams before going to the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the Olympics, she played behind more veteran teammates, but with Beretta Famila Schio, she is one of the team’s primary options on both ends of the floor. 

At 6’2”, Salaün has great size for a forward and a versatile arsenal. Offensively, she is a true 3-level scorer with both post and guard skills. She has a good handle, which she can use for strong drives to the basket or to bring the ball up the court and push the pace. EuroLeague opponents even double-team her on occasion. 

Defensively, Salaün is just as versatile. Her combination of size, speed, athleticism, and IQ allows her to pretty much guard all five positions. 

Even though the EuroLeague season is still young, it looks like a coming-out party for Salaün. Her brother just got drafted into the NBA by the Charlotte Hornets, and Salaün looks ready to make the move to the USA as well. WNBA fans just witnessed the success young EuroLeague players can find in the U.S. during Leonie Fiebich’s run to a title with the New York Liberty. 

Fiebich first started the season as a reserve player earning her minutes. By the time the playoffs rolled around, she was a starter on the best team in the WNBA. 

Salaün could find similar success in the WNBA, especially with the right team. The Indiana Fever could be just that. They still need forwards next to their big three, and particularly someone who can play defense. Salaün can guard and space the floor, which would allow her to easily fit on the court next to Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. Clark and Boston need space to work with. Shooting 45.5 percent from three so far, Salaün could provide just that. 

Plus, she is only 23 years old and would fit the Fever’s timeline perfectly. If Salaün continues to play like this, she will have plenty of suitors in the WNBA, but the Fever could give her the option to play with a generational talent and a team that is looking to win.