Seattle Storm Roster Roundup: Will Dominique Malonga Be Day 1 Starter?
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3141"]
No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga is expected to have a big role in her rookie season with the Seattle Storm. Credit: Estevoaei [/caption]
The WNBA Draft has come and gone, and the Seattle Storm began training camp on April 27. They won their lone preseason game against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, May 4, and will begin the regular season on the road at the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, May 17.
We already profiled all 12 Seattle players who weren’t expected to be suspended due to injury. Additionally, we’ve profiled each of the team’s three third-round draft picks: point guard Serena Sundell (No. 26), shooting guard Madison Conner (No. 29) and guard/forward Jordan Hobbs (No. 34). However, the latter two were waived on Tuesday.
Now, before the season opener, we’re taking a look at No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga and what her expected role will be this season. Malonga, who has been compared to the NBA’s Victor Wembanyama, could become the most versatile weapon in the WNBA.
Background
Originally from Yaounde, Cameroon, Malonga emerged as a phenom at a young age. Malonga lived in Cameroon until she was 15. At that point, she was signed by ASVEL Féminin, which competes in La Boulangère Wonderligue — the top French women’s professional basketball league. Malonga began competing for the French national team in 2021, the same year she first began playing professional basketball. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Malonga and France won a Silver medal.
Malonga (6-foot-6) averaged 15.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals per game with ASVEL during the 2024-25 season. She also won the All-EuroCup Player of the Year award, dominating international basketball before she’s even turned 20 years old.
On April 14, Malonga became the youngest player ever drafted into the WNBA at 19 years and 5 months old. Lauren Jackson previously held that record when she was drafted first overall, also by the Storm, in 2001. Entering the league at such a young age provides Malonga plenty of time to develop and enjoy a long WNBA career.
Best Case Scenario
There’s potential for Malonga to become a full-time starter in Year 1. If head coach Noelle Quinn believes the Storm are at their best with Malonga on the floor, then she will be on the floor. Seattle has a lot of talented veterans, but it’s possible Malonga is instantly the best player on the court, especially via her size and versatile skill set.
She could immediately light the league on fire. Averages of 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks would be a feasible ceiling for Malonga’s rookie campaign. It would also solidify her as the future of the Storm — something the team desperately hopes is a result of her draft position.
Worst Case Scenario
Malonga dominated French women’s basketball, but the WNBA will test her game at a different level. All of the highlights and smooth moves we’ve seen from Malonga came against, on paper, lesser competition. She’s done it on a world stage as well, but the talent is spread across countries and not concentrated in one league of 13 teams.
Is it likely that Malonga won’t be able to handle the speed, pace and strength of WNBA competition? No. But is it possible? Yes. It could, at most, take a few seasons for her to add muscle and bulk up to match other post players in the league. Her skill set should be able to counter that, but she might not have the instant impact most are expecting.
The proof 😤 https://t.co/NdoqTohRUQ pic.twitter.com/Z1FONQivhz— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 7, 2025
What to Expect in 2025
Fans should expect somewhere between the best- and worst-case scenarios. Malonga most likely begins the season coming off the bench with Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, Alysha Clark, Nneka Ogwumike and Li Yueru all projecting to earn ample playing time between the wing, power forward and center positions. Malonga will fit in, but Quinn will have to find the best lineup and game situations for her to slot into. It’s unlikely they rush her into a starting role.
That doesn’t mean Malonga won’t immediately be impacting the game. Expect somewhere between 15 to 20 minutes per game for the rookie, and modest statistical production. If she does shift into a starting role at some point in the season, Malonga should be in contention for Rookie of the Year.
Her game should transfer well to the WNBA, especially since she moves well off the ball and is impressively quick for her size. She can also dunk and may challenge Brittney Griner for the highest volume dunker in the league.
