Jana "Tika" Sallman, a 6‑foot‑3 senior forward from Cairo, Egypt, has officially joined the Grand Canyon University women’s basketball program, bringing a blend of size, experience and international pedigree to the Lopes roster.
A Promising Addition to the Lopes
Sallman arrives after two seasons at William & Mary and one at Memphis, where she posted career‑high numbers of 8.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 block per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Her growth has been evident each year, with scoring in wins more than doubling compared to losses and minutes per game increasing in victorious outings.
The daughter of former Egyptian National Team player Tarek Sallman, Jana grew up on the court, picking up a ball at age three under her father’s guidance. She has represented Egypt at multiple age‑group levels, speaking Arabic, English and French, and has posted five games with 19 or more points while recording four career double‑doubles.
Coaching staff vision and a welcoming environment were key factors in her decision to commit to GCU. Sallman hopes to continue her professional career and to contribute to Egypt’s national team, aiming to translate her collegiate success onto the international stage.