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The French takeover doesn't just apply to the NBA. French teen sensation Dominique Malonga is following in the footsteps of fellow countryman Victor Wembanyama and taking her talents to the WNBA.
Malonga was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm.
The 6-foot-6 center is the ultimate athlete — or unicorn, as some say — that can do it all with her speed, length and explosiveness. Malonga averaged a double-double for France's Lyon ASVEL Feminin during the 2024-25 season, with 15.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, all while shooting 53.8% from the field and 28.9% from beyond the arc.
Did we mention that she's only 19? Malonga turns 20 in November, making her eligible for the WNBA Draft. (According to league rules, international draftees must be 20 by the end of the calendar year, while U.S. draftees must be 22 or graduate college at least within three months of the draft.)
Malonga says her "versatility" is her superpower. "The fact that I can play in and outside and sometimes I can be really disruptive on defense," she said leading up to the WNBA Draft.
Malonga not only has professional experience in France, she also has Olympic experience. Malonga was the youngest person on the French women's team that won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She made history in October by becoming the first French women's basketball player to dunk.
Here's what Malonga averaged in 22 games this season with France's Lyon ASVEL Feminin:
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dominique Malonga is 2025 WNBA Draft No. 2 pick by Seattle Storm
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Malonga was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm.
The 6-foot-6 center is the ultimate athlete — or unicorn, as some say — that can do it all with her speed, length and explosiveness. Malonga averaged a double-double for France's Lyon ASVEL Feminin during the 2024-25 season, with 15.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, all while shooting 53.8% from the field and 28.9% from beyond the arc.
Did we mention that she's only 19? Malonga turns 20 in November, making her eligible for the WNBA Draft. (According to league rules, international draftees must be 20 by the end of the calendar year, while U.S. draftees must be 22 or graduate college at least within three months of the draft.)
Malonga says her "versatility" is her superpower. "The fact that I can play in and outside and sometimes I can be really disruptive on defense," she said leading up to the WNBA Draft.
Malonga not only has professional experience in France, she also has Olympic experience. Malonga was the youngest person on the French women's team that won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She made history in October by becoming the first French women's basketball player to dunk.
Dominique Malonga stats
Here's what Malonga averaged in 22 games this season with France's Lyon ASVEL Feminin:
- Points: 15.4
- Field goal percentage: 53.8%
- Rebounds: 10.3
- Assists: 1.5
- Steals: 1.2
- Block: 1.4
- Three point percentage: 28.9%
- Free-throw percentage: 72.5%
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dominique Malonga is 2025 WNBA Draft No. 2 pick by Seattle Storm
Continue reading...
