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When Victor Wembanayma was drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs in 2023, there was already a highlight tape a mile long of dunks, blocks, and shots the like fans have never seen before. Wembanyama was jumpstarting a golden age of French basketball, and several other NBA players have followed in his path.
Now, the WNBA is getting its own version, with the Seattle Storm selecting Dominique Malonga went second overall in 2025, just behind UConn standout Paige Bueckers.
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At 6-foot-6, Malonga has excellent footwork and high-level athleticism to be an elite shot blocker and interior scorer for the Storm. He drop-step dunks are rarely seen in the WNBA, although her outside shot is not nearly as polished as Wembanyama’s.
Spurs legend Tony Parker called her “the female version of Wembanyama,” but that’s mostly because they’re both oversized and represent France. Malonga will be a very good player, but she wants to write her own path.
“It’s an honor, of course, because Victor, we all know who he is and what he can do,” she told ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “So it’s an honor to be compared to him. And of course, I can see some similarities in our physics, in our games. So of course, I can relate to that. But I just wanted to keep my own identity on the court, on myself. I play like myself. And of course, I can be inspired by him and watch him play, but I will never try to be like him or do exactly like him. I really attach to my identity, myself, and I know what I can do, me, myself.”
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Malonga is only 19, and the WNBA prevents NCAA athletes from entering the draft until after four years or they turn 22. She will enter the leage as one of the more talented defensive anchors, and will have plenty of time to decopl with the Storm.
The Storm, led by greats like Swin Cash, Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, and Lauren Jackson, have won titles in 2004, 2010, 2018, and 2020. They were one of the better regular-season teams last season and only got the second overall pick thanks to a trade in February.
Malonga very well could experience winning in her first WNBA season, and the Storm are expected to remain one of the top teams despite trading away Jewell Loyd in the three-team deal with the Los Angeles Sparks and Las Vegas Aces.
Check out the Inside the Spurs home page for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Hakeem Olajuwon Had a Perfect Response to Victor Wembanyama’s Request
Related: Jeremy Sochan Outlines San Antonio Spurs’ Focus This Offseason
