Dominique can dunk: Who is Ezi's new teammate

• 19-year-old Dominique Malonga becomes first Frenchwoman to dunk in official competition
• Seattle Storm select 198cm forward-centre with second pick in 2025 WNBA Draft
• Olympic silver medallist follows in footsteps of WNBA pioneers

Australian Opals 193cm centre Ezi Magbegor, 25, has a new teammate at the Seattle Storm in 2025 — French basketball sensation Dominique Malonga.

Malonga, 19, is the 198cm forward/centre taken second in the 2025 WNBA Draft in New York on April 15, 2025 (AEST).

The Olympic silver medallist become the first Frenchwoman to dunk in an official game in October 2024.

She has been dubbed the "female Victor Wembanyama" by ASVEL Féminin president Tony Parker. Her highlight reels all over YouTube showcase her ability to dunk the ball with ease.

Her selection continues the strong tradition of international players making an impact in the WNBA, similar to Australian stars such as Australia's greatest basketballer Lauren Jackson and Magbegor, who won a WNBA championship with Seattle in 2020.

Seattle's front court is going to be tough, especially on the defensive side of the ball when Magbegor, heading into her sixth season, and rookie Malonga build the chemistry only a 40-plus game season can develop.

Malonga's journey to the WNBA began with ASVEL Féminin in 2021, where she showcased her potential despite limited playing time. During a loan stint with Tarbes Gespe Bigorre for the 2023-24 season, she flourished with averages of 11.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks across 25 games, elevating her draft stock considerably.

The young star truly distinguished herself on October 31, 2024, when she made French basketball history by throwing down a dunk during ASVEL's dominant 115-54 win over Apollon Limassol in EuroCup Women competition.

That single watershed moment cemented her status as one of the most exciting prospects in the international game.

Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Malonga comes from a basketball lineage, with both parents having played the sport. This foundation helped her develop into an elite talent who represented France at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where she was the youngest member of the silver medal-winning team.

During the Olympic tournament, Malonga demonstrated her potential in limited minutes, averaging 2.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in just over seven minutes per game. Her international experience also includes standout performances at youth level, where she earned all-tournament honours at the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Women's Basketball World Cup after helping France secure bronze.

Malonga's selection draws comparisons to Australia's pipeline of WNBA talent, with several Opals having made successful transitions to the American league. The Storm themselves have a history of developing international talent, with Magbegor evolving into a defensive anchor for the franchise.

The French star will join a Seattle roster looking to build around their core of established veterans and emerging young talent. Her shot-blocking ability and developing offensive skills could provide the Storm with added dimension in the frontcourt as they aim to return to championship contention.

Basketball analysts predict Malonga will need time to adjust to the WNBA's physical style, but her exceptional athleticism and basketball IQ suggest she has the tools to develop into an elite player. Her ability to run the floor, protect the rim, and stretch her range makes her an intriguing prospect in the modern, position-less WNBA.

As Malonga prepares to make the transition to America's premier women's basketball league, she'll look to continue making history as one of France's pioneering basketball exports, following in the path that Australian players helped establish decades ago.

The 2025 WNBA season tips off next month, giving fans their first opportunity to see if Malonga can translate her international success to the world's most competitive women's basketball league.