For months, whenever fans or analysts talked about the WNBA’s future, the conversation seemed to orbit around two names: Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.
But this season, another name has suddenly entered the discussion in 19-year-old Dominique Malonga of the Seattle Storm.
At six-foot-six, Malonga has already made an immediate impact, showing a blend of size, maturity, and fearlessness beyond her years.
Her defining moment came in the playoffs, when she powered through traffic for a decisive and-1 layup with 31 seconds remaining in Game 2, pushing Seattle into an 86-83 lead.
According to ESPN, that shot made her the youngest player in league postseason history to hit a go-ahead or game-tying field goal in the final minute of regulation or overtime.
A teenager making history
That wasn’t Malonga‘s only milestone. In her very first playoff game, she produced 12 points and 11 rebounds, becoming the youngest player ever to record a double-double in WNBA postseason play.
The French teenager has spent her rookie season breaking one record after another, as she was also the youngest player in league history to notch a career double-double, score her 100th point, and reach 100 rebounds.
Her consistency set her apart as well. Malonga appeared in 42 games during the regular season and led all WNBA reserves in field goals, rebounds, blocks, points in the paint, second-chance points, and double-doubles.
Those numbers made her a clear candidate for Sixth Woman of the Year and one of the most impactful rookies in the league.
Veteran praise and sky-high expectations
It hasn’t taken long for her teammates to recognize her potential. Seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins, who has spent more than a decade competing against the best in the league, didn’t hesitate to call Malonga the future of the franchise.
“She’ll be the face of this organization for a very long time,” Diggins said. She later added, “She’s gonna be a star for the next 20 years; she doesn’t have a ceiling. She’s an all-star in her own right.”
That endorsement carries weight because Malonga‘s background already set her apart. She began playing professionally in France at age 16, arriving in Seattle with advanced footwork, strong defensive instincts, and a polished understanding of spacing.
Those qualities have allowed her to contribute immediately alongside veterans while showing the kind of raw talent that suggests she could eventually dominate the league.
Read the full article here
