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 observe went viral. In October, she turned the primary French lady to dunk in a sport.
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 sport.
After the draft, Malonga mentioned she felt proud to signify French basketball on a worldwide stage. “I used to be so proud to realize that aim. It simply confirmed that French basketball has advanced as we see in these previous few years within the NBA facet,” Malonga mentioned, in line with The Seattle Times.
Though Malonga’s debut with the Storm is unsure because of her commitments in France, Seattle is raring to have her be a part of as soon as her season ends. Normal 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 decide 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 together with her household. She hugged her mom first, saying, “It was symbolic to go to her first as a result of she is likely one of the most vital particular person of my life. She is likely one of the motive that I’m right here right now, and I actually wished to indicate that.”
“And naturally, my household, my dad, my brothers and my sister, they’re every thing to me,” she added. “They’re the rationale that I’m right here right now, and my motivation of on daily basis. So, you possibly can see that there was quite a lot of emotion between us. I’m so proud and pleased to have been capable of deliver them right here right now.”
