Seattle Storm Drafts Dominique Malonga No. 2 Overall in 2025 WNBA Draft

The Seattle Storm made an exciting and bold move by choosing 19-year-old French Phenom Dominique Malonga as their No. 2 pick. Malonga, who is 6 foot-6, has already been characterized as one of the most promising international prospects in recent WNBA history.

“Dominique is a rising global star and we are thrilled to welcome her to Seattle,” said Seattle Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea. “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.”

Since her professional debut with ASVEL Féminin in France at 15, Malonga, born in Yaounde, Cameroon, has been making waves in the basketball world. Despite being young, she quickly became a force in Europe. Although her early seasons were promising, her 2023-24 campaign confirmed her readiness for the spotlight. Her breakout season was achieved when she was loaned to Tarbes Gespe Bigorre in 2023, and she averaged 11.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 25 games. Returning to ASVEL this past season, she took another significant stride, averaging 15.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. It wasn’t the end of her dominance. The 2024-25 EuroCup Women’s tournament saw Malonga excel in scoring by producing 18.5 points and 11 rebounds per game. She was awarded All-EuroCup First Team, European Player of the Year, and Center of the Year honors.

With a commanding 27-point, nine-rebound performance, she ended the season by beating Flammes Carolo. Beyond her statistics, Malonga has made history. Her growing legend was further enhanced when she became the first Frenchwoman to dunk in an official game in October 2024. She represented France at the 2024 Paris Olympics in just a few months.

Playing alongside current Storm forward Gabby Williams on the court, she was the youngest player on the silver-medal-winning squad at just 18. She is now bringing her remarkable skill set and international experience to Seattle, joining a team focused on building around a new generation of talent. Malonga’s size, agility, and scoring abilities are expected to impact both sides of the court immediately. For the Storm and their fans, the future looks very bright, and Dominique Malonga is at the center of it.