When Seattle’s storm changed Jewell Loyd for General Selection No. 2 in the 2025 WNBA Draft, they knew it was because they could get an excellent player. Not only is it excellent, but a generational franchise player to take them to his next chapter. Although Paige Bueckers was the unanimous general selection in general this year, it was clear in the week prior to the draft that the alleged selection No. 2 can also be a good historical player.
It all started when Olivia Miles decided to go for another year at the university instead of declaring for the draft. In the consequences of that, the name of Dominique Malonga was thrown to the second place in the draft after floating among the top five throughout the year. Once people began to immerse themselves in Malonga as a prospect … it was quite sure that Seattle would not miss the opportunity to pick it up.
Now, the best written player who has left France, Malonga can be one of the best players to enter the WNBA in years, just for a basic to be ready to be ready for the League. In the recent Draft of very guards, it certainly has a case to be the best player of the front court to be recruited in recent history. Even if Miles had decided to enter the draft, there is evidence that suggests that Malonga had probably gone. 2 Anyway.
A silver medista at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, Malonga is only 19 years old and has been playing professionally in Europe since 2021. The French basketball leagues are beginning to increase at the level of talent; Think of all the talent of the NBA that France has produced in recent. Not only has that experience playing against high level competition in the Euroleague, but only its physical measures jump from the page.
Malonga measures 6’6 “high and has a wingspan of 7’1”, with great hands to match its height. She can immerse the ball in a way that makes it look easy, and often makes the games lasting. Not only has the skills of a player after the player, the posterior score and edge protection, but it can also be basketball and shoot from beyond the three -point line. At 19, it not only has immense potential, but the proven skills to prove that it will be a star. She is also the young woman who is once recruited in the WNBA.
I went to see Dominique Malonga, Selection No. 2 in the WNBA Draft, exercise in New York. Alleged by the talented one that is. 6’6, 7’1 strange, huge hands. Coins easily. Makes NBA-ngege pullup 3S efforts. Only 19 years. Seattle’s storm obtained a good one. pic.twitter.com/bolnv49uq1
– Jonathan Givony (@draftexpress) April 15, 2025
Its potential with the storm in particular is immense. It is known that Seattle risks with international talent, even with its current blazer of the front of the front court Ez Magbegor, recruited in 2019 outside Australia. The idea of matching Magbegor (25 years) with Malonga (19) for several years in Seattle should scare other teams. Both are players with immense versatility, and if Malonga can operate and defend themselves from anywhere on the floor while Magbegor dominates in the post, then Seattle will be dangerous.
Malonga is a will to European basketball, where young players are not turned off on traditional positioned basketball. Each player, regardless of their height, is placed through the guard, the wing and the subsequent exercises. Regardless of the position, players learn how to handle the ball at an early age in Europe, with positional confines rarely forced in youth basketball. Once players begin to play professionally or at a higher level, they begin to be specifically trained in those desired positions, but they have still preserved all those other skills.
The results have been a wave of unique and versatile European players, especially the high ones. When you are a female player of 6’6 “like Malonga or male player of 7’3” like Victor Wembanyama, and you can work under the hoop, but also operate like a guard? Well, you have a serious MVP potential.
When I consider that Loyd actively wanted Seattle, and the storm not only changed the six-time all-star to his favorite destination, but also could ensure the future for themselves, the only conclusion is that it is a great trade for the subject. Malonga is not only a draft robbery, even in number 2, but also a cornerstone of the franchise that can affect this team for many years.
In the coming years, when we look back in this draft class, or the course bueckers will have had a great impact on the league. However, Malonga will also end up as a phenomenal star that defines the 2025 draft.