The 2025 WNBA Draft had no shortage of headlines, but it didn’t take long for the internet to spiral into a firestorm of takes after the Seattle Storm used the No. 2 pick to select French phenom Dominique Malonga.
With her athleticism, size, and polished two-way game, the comparisons to fellow French unicorn Victor Wembanyama came flying in again. But this time, fans of the San Antonio Spurs star had one message: “Just stop.”
Dominique Malonga’s Rise Draws Comparisons With Victor Wembanyama
Malonga’s statsheet already reads like a pro’s dream. A silver medal at the Olympics before she even turned 20. Playing professionally in France’s top league since 15. A 7’1″ wingspan. And yeah, she dunked in a EuroCup game at just 18, becoming the first Frenchwoman ever to do so.
After the Seattle Storm called her name at No. 2, fans and analysts lit up. Wistle Sports tweeted out: “The Wemby of the WNBA is here 😳 Dominique Malonga goes #2 overall to the Seattle Storm 🔥.”
And while the comparison might’ve been meant as a compliment, not everyone was buying it.
The Wemby of the WNBA is Here 😳
Dominique Malonga goes #2 overall to the Seattle Storm 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FRKD3hy2JF
— Whistle (@WhistleSports) April 14, 2025
Social media had some serious thoughts about labeling Malonga the “WNBA’s Wemby.” The consensus: Enough with the comparisons; let her shine in her own right.
One fan didn’t hold back, posting: “Just stop,” implying to let her build her legacy without pinning it to someone else’s.
just stop
— WembySZN (@FTB2023) April 15, 2025
Some fans did admit the hype was justified, just maybe not in that way. One user tweeted, “I probably would’ve drafted her first overall… this girl is the real deal.”
That praise felt more genuine, focused on Malonga’s own game rather than piggybacking off someone else’s spotlight.
I probably would’ve drafted her first overall…
— b (@puff_________) April 15, 2025
The Storm Just Got Stronger With Malonga
Seattle didn’t just draft a project, they picked up a player who could genuinely anchor their franchise for the next decade. Malonga’s already a pro, and now she joins a squad with Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Gabby Williams, all ready to mold her into the next WNBA superstar.
Coming back to the comparison, to her credit, Malonga has handled the chatter like a vet. She’s acknowledged Wembanyama’s greatness but also made it clear that this is her journey.
“Being compared to Victor is nice because he’s a great player,” she recently said to Rachel DeMita. “But I want to be the first Dominique Malonga.” And after Monday night, she’s well on her way.
So go ahead and talk about Victor Wembanyama if you want. But in the Pacific Northwest, there’s a whole different kind of unicorn brewing, and her name is Dominique Malonga.