Dominique Malonga is the Highest-Drafted French Player in WNBA


On Monday night, history was made as 19-year-old phenom Dominique Malonga became the highest French player drafted in WNBA history at second overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Dominique Malonga | Seattle Storm
 (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

When Malonga heard WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announce her name in the first round, she recalled the moments that went through her mind and felt grateful for her family in attendance.

“It was a lot of emotion when I heard my name,” Dominique Malonga said Monday. “I was kind of stressed first, but the minute I heard it, it was better, of course. I first went to my mom because she was not at the table, as you could see.  Because it’s only four guests at the table, and so she let her place genuinely. For me, it was symbolic to go to her first, because she is one of the most important people in my life. She’s one of the reasons that I’m here today, and I really wanted to show that.”

“And of course my family, my dad, my brothers and my sister, they’re everything to me,” said Malonga at the WNBA Draft.  “They are the reason that I’m here today and my motivation for every day. You could see that it was a lot of emotion between us, and I’m so proud and happy to have been able to bring them here today.”

What Dominique Malonga Brings To Seattle

Seattle acquired the No. 2 overall pick from the Los Angeles Sparks in a three-team trade that sent former Storm guard Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces earlier this offseason.

The team missed out on guard Olivia Miles, who announced she would forgo the 2025 WNBA Draft. She was projected as the second overall pick and will play for the TCU Horned Frogs next year. With recent changes, the Storm remain optimistic about Malonga’s experience in the French league and her potential in the WNBA. 

Malonga brings versatility and dominance to the Seattle Storm team, which is in “win-now mode,” as general manager Talisa Rhea emphasized on Apr. 10 before the draft took place. Not to  Malonga realized that she could first dunk at the young age of 14. 

Additionally, Hall of Famer and four-time NBA Champion Tony Parker called Dominique Malonga the female version of Victor Wembanyama, who’s known for his versatility and defense.

“Dominique is a rising global star and we are thrilled to welcome her to Seattle,” Rhea said in a press release. “She brings versatility, skill and a high level of efficiency. We know she’ll be an integral part of our team, now and for years to come.”

Malonga Praises Women’s French Basketball

Malonga credits her experience at the Paris Olympics and abroad for preparing her for a career in the WNBA. She was part of the French National Team that won a silver medal last summer.

Throughout the 2024-25 EuroCup Women’s season, Malonga won numerous accolades with Asvel Feminine, such as Player, European, and Center of the Year awards. She also became the first French woman to dunk in a game in French league last October.

“International FIBA basketball prepared me to —toughness because it was always high-level games,” Malonga said. “At the Olympics, every game was tight. We could see great players that evolve in this league. Of course it was like high-level teams.  Every minute that I spent on the court there, I know that I learned something and that I improved on my game.”

Malonga Makes History In The WNBA

Malonga becomes the highest-ranked French player in WNBA Draft history, surpassing Eva Nemcova, who was selected fourth overall by the Cleveland Rockers in the 1997 WNBA Draft. She also acknowledges the rise of the population of basketball across France.

“FIBA basketball is something today, and I think that it really helped me to be ready for the league,” said Malonga. I’m really, really excited to step on the court in the W and to show that European basketball is something, too, and I can come here and showcase my talent.”

Center Wembanyama was selected first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, and forward Zaccharie Risacher was chosen at the top overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. Both are two rising French stars in the NBA.

“I am so proud to achieve that goal because it just shows that French basketball has evolved, as we’ve seen the past few years on the NBA side,” Malonga said. “We see [Victor Wembanyama] or Zaccharie Risacher that show that French basketball is great. Now with the women, it just shows that it’s not only men French players, it’s also women. It’s just French basketball in general. I’m so proud just to show that today French basketball is at a level that we have never seen.”

Fans Are Excited About Malonga Joining Seattle

At the draft party, Seattle Storm fans at Queen Anne Beerhall were elated when the team announced it’s selection of Malonga.

On the team’s social media page, fans welcomed Malonga with open arms, as optimism rises for the Storm fans this upcoming season. Seattle will also have a roster that will feature Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Ezi Magbegor.  Magebegor recently won a Euroleague Women’s championship with ZVVZ USK Praha of the Czech Republic.

Malonga will also reunite with Frech National Teammate Gabby Williams, who’s been with the Storm since 2022.

Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson,  tweeted on X, 

“Lord, please don’t let me be the first WNBA player to get dunked on. Amen,” while quote tweeting a video of Malonga’s dunk.

In response, Indiana Fever guard Sydney Colson tweeted:

“Lord, please let Rickea [Jackson] be the first WNBA player to get dunked on. Amen!”

On Instagram, Nneka Ogwumike was seen celebrating the Storm’s second overall pick with her sister Chiney Ogwumike —who played in the WNBA for nine seasons with the Connecticut Sun and Los Angeles Sparks.

Excitement is palpable throughout Seattle as the Storm drafted Dominique Malonga, aiming for their fifth championship this upcoming season. The team will face the Phoenix Mercury on the road to open the season on May 17.





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