Overview

• Dominique Malonga, a 19-year-old French basketball star, was drafted second overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2025 WNBA Draft, becoming the highest-drafted French player in league history.
• Malonga's historic career includes being the first French woman to dunk in a professional game and helping France secure a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
• She averaged 15.4 points and 10.3 rebounds this past season with Lyon ASVEL, showcasing her ability to dominate both inside and outside the paint.
• A press conference incident involving language restrictions raised concerns about the treatment of international media, highlighting cultural challenges in global sports representation.
• Malonga's selection underscores the rising prominence of French basketball, with the teenager eager to showcase her talent and represent her multicultural roots in the WNBA.