Not every rookie enters the WNBA with the hype machine fully behind them. Dominique Malonga didn’t arrive with the same headlines as Paige Bueckers in the 2025 draft, nor was she thrust into a starring role on Day 1.
Instead, the 19-year-old French forward has carved her own path off the bench, steadily proving she’s one of the league’s most exciting young bigs. For Seattle, her growth feels like a slow burn turning into a bright flame, a long-term payoff that could reshape the franchise’s future.
Dominique Malonga Shares Honest Thoughts on Her Rookie Development
In a recent road matchup against the Dallas Wings, Seattle’s rookie forward gave another glimpse of her rapid evolution. Coming off the bench, she poured in 22 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and swatted away three shots.
That performance wasn’t just about numbers. It was a sign that the 6’6” center, armed with a 7’1” wingspan, is starting to look like the player Seattle envisioned when it drafted her second overall in 2025 after trading away franchise legend Jewell Loyd.
Dominique Malonga last three games:
18.0 PPG
8.7 RPG
3.3 STL + BLK
59.5% FG
3-0 W/L pic.twitter.com/8EYuZXQ5xD— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) August 26, 2025
When asked about her growth, Malonga kept it straightforward:
“I think I’m just growing in general with this team,” Malonga told RG. “I’m getting more and more minutes, and I’ve felt the trust since day one from my teammates and the coaching staff. They’ve done a great job implementing things for me to build on every day.”
“For me, it’s about giving 100 percent every time I’m on the court. Even in practice, I’m working hard every day, spending hours in the weight room, getting used to the pace and physicality of this league. It’s a long process, but the work is paying off.”
That mix of humility and determination defines her early days in the WNBA. She isn’t chasing the spotlight but consistency, and it’s beginning to show.
Meanwhile, Malonga’s role in Seattle’s system has been about doing the little things right — running the floor, setting screens, and finishing strong inside. Her simplicity is actually her strength, and it’s a mindset she’s embraced:
“I don’t think it’s really changed that much,” Malonga said. “I’m just more comfortable. I do simple things – set picks, roll hard, run the floor. I get great passes from my teammates. I just do the easy things, and that’s what I’m good at. I think I’m also more physical now, more powerful in the paint, and that helps me on both ends.”
That physical presence has become impossible to ignore. Recently, according to CBS, Malonga became just the 11th rookie in league history to post back-to-back 20-point, 10-rebound games and the first to do it while shooting at least 70% in both outings.
She’s scoring at a blistering pace in transition, averaging 1.357 points per possession, a mark that shows just how dangerous she is when she runs the floor.
How Malonga Is Emerging As the Storm’s Future Star
The Storm took a gamble when they parted ways with Loyd to secure the No. 2 pick, but Malonga has quickly justified the move. Her EuroLeague experience, Olympic silver medal with France, and even praise from former NBA great Tony Parker, who once dubbed her the female Victor Wembanyama, all hinted at her potential. Now, that promise is beginning to materialize in Seattle.
DOMINIQUE MALONGA IS HER 😍😍
22 POINTS
10/12 AU SHOOT
9 REBONDSMEILLEURE MARQUEUSE DU MATCH, JUSTE WOW (et la win) pic.twitter.com/9QBp3pkovy
— The Daily Dunk (@dailydunkfr) August 23, 2025
In her last 10 games, she has averaged 13.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and a block per game while shooting nearly 60% from the field and 40% from 3-point range. She has already set a Storm record for double-digit scoring games off the bench in a single season.
And perhaps most importantly, she is helping Seattle push toward the playoffs. At 20-19, the Storm are clinging to the No. 8 seed, and ESPN gives them a 95% chance of making the postseason. With Malonga emerging as a consistent contributor, their long-term vision suddenly looks brighter.
For now, Malonga isn’t promising stardom or rushing the process. She is focused on growth, comfort, and the easy things. But as her own words remind us, the work is indeed paying off.
