When the Seattle Storm traded Jewell Loyd away for the No. 2 General choose within the 2025 WNBA Draft, they knew it was as a result of they might get a wonderful participant. Not simply glorious, however a generational franchise participant to guide them into their subsequent chapter. Whereas Paige Bueckers was the unanimous No. 1 total choose this 12 months, it grew to become clear within the weeks main as much as the draft that the presumed No. 2 choose may additionally be a traditionally good participant.
It began when Olivia Miles determined to return for one more 12 months in faculty as a substitute of declare for the draft. Within the fallout of that, Dominique Malonga’s title was tossed into the second spot within the draft after floating within the high 5 all 12 months. As soon as individuals began really diving deeper into Malonga as a prospect… it was just about sure that Seattle wouldn’t miss out on the prospect to select her up.
Now the best drafted participant to ever come out of France, Malonga could also be among the best gamers to enter the WNBA in years — simply from a foundation of being league-ready. In latest very guard heavy drafts, she actually has a case to be one of the best entrance court docket participant to be drafted in latest historical past. Even when Miles had determined to enter the draft, there may be proof to recommend that Malonga would have in all probability gone No. 2 anyway.
A silver medalist on the Paris 2024 Olympics, Malonga is simply 19 years previous and has been taking part in professionally in Europe since 2021. French basketball leagues are beginning to rise in stage of expertise — take into consideration all the NBA expertise France has produced lately. Not solely does she have that have taking part in towards high-level competitors within the EuroLeague, however her bodily measurements alone bounce off the web page.
Malonga is 6’6” tall and has a 7’1” wingspan, with massive arms to match her peak. She will be able to dunk the ball in a method that makes it look straightforward, and continuously does so throughout video games. Not solely does she have the abilities of a publish participant — rebounding, publish scoring, and rim safety — however she will be able to additionally deal with the basketball in addition to shoot from past the three-point line. At 19 years previous, she not solely has immense potential, however the tried expertise to show she shall be a star. She’s additionally the youngest particular person to ever be drafted into the WNBA.
Went to observe Dominique Malonga — the No. 2 choose within the WNBA Draft — work out in NYC. Blown away by how proficient she is. 6’6, 7’1 wingspan, enormous arms. Dunks with ease. Makes NBA-range pullup 3s effortlessly. Solely 19 years previous. The Seattle Storm received a very good one. pic.twitter.com/boLNV49uQ1
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 15, 2025
Her potential with the Storm specifically is immense. Seattle is thought to take possibilities on worldwide expertise, together with with their present entrance court docket path blazer Ezi Magbegor, drafted in 2019 out of Australia. The thought of pairing Magbegor (25 years previous) with Malonga (19) for quite a few years in Seattle must be scary to different groups. Each are gamers with immense versatility, and if Malonga can function and defend from anyplace on the ground whereas Magbegor dominates within the publish, then Seattle goes to be harmful.
Malonga is a testomony to European basketball, the place younger gamers aren’t taught about conventional positioned basketball. Every participant, regardless of your peak, is put by way of guard, wing, and publish drills all collectively. No matter place, gamers learn to deal with the ball at a younger age in Europe, with positional confines not often enforced in youth basketball. As soon as gamers begin taking part in professionally or at a better stage, they then begin to be skilled particularly in these niched positions, however they nonetheless have retained all these different expertise.
The consequence has been a surge of distinctive and versatile European gamers, particularly the tall ones. Whenever you’re a 6’6” ladies’s participant like Malonga or a 7’3” males’s participant like Victor Wembanyama, and may work underneath the ring, but in addition function like a guard? Properly, you’ve critical MVP potential.
When you think about that Loyd actively wished out of Seattle, and the Storm not solely traded the six-time All-Star to her most popular vacation spot, however have been additionally in a position to safe the long run for themselves, the one conclusion is that it’s an excellent commerce for them. Malonga isn’t solely a draft steal, even at No.2, but in addition a franchise cornerstone who can influence this crew for a few years to come back.
In years to come back, after we look again at this draft class, after all Bueckers could have had a huge effect on the league. But Malonga, too, will probably find yourself as an outstanding star that defines the 2025 draft.
