Dominique Malonga. Remember this name. You may have only half-heard it during the Paris Games, slipped between two spotlights on the handball players, or in summaries of the final lost to the United States. But in the hushed silence of the 2025 WNBA draft, while the cameras searched for familiar faces, it was that of a 19-year-old young woman, eyes raised, who made history. Second overall pick in the Draft, right behind the much-anticipated Paige Bueckers. First Frenchwoman to reach that rank. And above all: a symbol of a generation that was not expected to climb so high, so soon.
Drafts in American basketball are currently dominated by French training. Overall, it’s Europe, but the true gems are coming from French soil. Killian Hayes, Wembanyama, Coulibaly, Risacher, Sarr. These are the latest names that come to mind, and now we can add Malonga.
Dominique Malonga was not born in the glare of spotlights. She was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, sharing roots with Congo, before growing up in France, far from media attention, but carrying a legacy — that of her mother, Agathe N’Nindjem-Yolemp, former international player for the Indomitable Lions. She didn’t ask for it. She simply dunked. At 18, on a European court, wearing an ASVEL jersey, she delivered the first official dunk in French women’s basketball history. A move as brutal as it was precise. And in the days that followed, people started calling her the “Wembanyama of women’s basketball.”
A flattering but perhaps unfair comparison. Because while Dominique shares with Victor a disconcerting height (1.98m), a supernatural wingspan (2.16m), and generational talent, she does not want to be the female version of someone else. She wants to be the first Dominique Malonga.
A Golden Youth? Not Quite.
Yes, she signed with ASVEL. Yes, Tony Parker took her under his wing. But before that, there were family sacrifices, endless training trips, and this raw reality: being a tall Black girl in a sport where female visibility remains minimal doesn’t open doors.
But she persevered. She grew, as a player, within a system unaccustomed to her unprecedented build, carving her own path.
2024 Olympics: The World Stage at Her Feet
The summer of 2024 could have been one of shadows. The Paris Olympics were supposed to be the moment for veterans to shine. And yet, it was the youngest member of the French team who caught the attention of the USA. On the court, Dominique imposed her presence like an obvious fact. Fierce defense, secure hands, rare court vision for her age. She did not seek to dominate. She demanded respect.
And then came the final. A historic silver medal against the American giant. We saw her raise her arms, then lower her head. She could have celebrated. She chose instead to brood over the defeat, comforted by her teammate in the French team — and soon in Seattle — Gabbie Williams. At 19 years old.
$78,000 a Year: The WNBA Glass Ceiling
Drafted second overall by the Seattle Storm, Dominique joined the great North American league. On paper, it’s an earthquake. But in reality? Her rookie contract caps at $78,000 a year. Less than the average salary of a second-division player in France. A slap in the face for those who thought recognition would automatically come with talent.
Because yes, the WNBA remains underfunded, underpublicized, underpaid. And Dominique, despite her global prodigy status, is already paying the price. She does not complain. She knows she represents more than just herself. She is aware that her very existence in the league is a political act in itself.
Icon of a Movement, Not a Mirage
What Dominique represents goes far beyond the stat lines. It’s a generation asserting itself, despite the silences, the ceilings, the clichés. She embodies a Black, female, ambitious youth that can no longer be ignored.
She could capitalize on her image, sell merchandise, go on a media tour. She chose Seattle, the rain, the work. She posts little, talks little, but scores a lot. On the court and in people’s minds.
Not an Exception. A Declaration.
Dominique Malonga is not an anomaly. She is the beginning of a new era. One where Afro-descendant talents are no longer confined to the margins of global sport. One where women basketball players no longer merely “make a place for themselves” — they seize the throne.
In ten years, Malonga may be cited as the one who paved the way for a new economy in women’s basketball. A WNBA that is fairer, more visible, more ambitious. Meanwhile, she plays. She learns. She builds. And she inspires.
What’s Next?
The Storm counts on her to redefine its paint area. France awaits her return to carry the flag in 2028. Little girls will look up to her as a heroine — without a cape, but with tightly laced sneakers. And the sports world, slowly but surely, is realizing: Dominique Malonga is here. And the league should keep an eye on her! Everyone’s been warned!
Summary
- From Yaoundé to Seattle: The Silent Rise of a Phenomenon
- A Golden Youth? Not Quite.
- 2024 Olympics: The World Stage at Her Feet
- $78,000 a Year: The WNBA Glass Ceiling
- Icon of a Movement, Not a Mirage
- Not an Exception. A Declaration.
- What’s Next?
