Nationwide — Dominique Malonga, a 19-year-old Black teen from France, has made historical past because the youngest participant ever drafted by the WNBA. The Seattle Storm picked her second total, making her one of many league’s latest stars.
At 6-foot-6, Malonga first gained consideration three years in the past when movies of her dunking throughout apply went viral. In October, she grew to become the primary French girl to dunk in a recreation.
Malonga was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and moved to France at a younger age. At 15, she joined Tony Parker’s ASVEL Féminin group. Parker nicknamed her the “Feminine Wemby,” evaluating her to fellow French basketball star Victor Wembanyama.
This season, Malonga averaged 15.4 factors, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists for Lyon ASVEL Féminin. She additionally led her group within the EuroCup Ladies’s competitors, averaging 18.5 factors and 11 rebounds per recreation.
After the draft, Malonga stated she felt proud to characterize French basketball on a world stage. “I used to be so proud to realize that objective. It simply confirmed that French basketball has advanced as we see in these previous few years within the NBA aspect,” Malonga stated, in response to The Seattle Instances.
Though Malonga’s debut with the Storm is unsure attributable to her commitments in France, Seattle is keen to have her be part of as soon as her season ends. Basic Supervisor Talisa Rhea shared that the group is ready for the method and appears ahead to welcoming her.
Malonga is the Storm’s highest draft choose since Breanna Stewart in 2016. She turns into the fifth worldwide participant to be chosen within the high two of the WNBA draft. She turns 20 in November, assembly the age requirement for worldwide gamers.
After being drafted, Malonga shared an emotional second along with her household. She hugged her mom first, saying, “It was symbolic to go to her first as a result of she is without doubt one of the most necessary particular person of my life. She is without doubt one of the cause that I’m right here immediately, and I actually needed to point out that.”
“And naturally, my household, my dad, my brothers and my sister, they’re every part to me,” she added. “They’re the explanation that I’m right here immediately, and my motivation of every single day. So, you might see that there was plenty of emotion between us. I’m so proud and pleased to have been capable of convey them right here immediately.”
