Before being chosen by the Seattle Storm as the second overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Dominic Malonga was already making headlines for her ability to dunk. Now, fans in the United States have witnessed her accomplish it live during a game for the first time.
On Saturday night, while playing for the dominant Breeze BC team, Malonga smoothly executed a right-handed dunk in the first quarter after receiving a pass from Rikea Jackson during a match against the Lunar Owls. This marked the first dunk of the season by an Unrivaled player, although it wasn’t the league’s first ever—Brittney Greiner had previously dunked in last season’s competition.
This dunk was especially significant as it was Malonga’s first opportunity to slam in a professional game in the U.S.; she hadn’t managed a dunk during her rookie WNBA season with the Storm. The 6-foot-6 forward from France, just 20 years old, finished the game with an impressive 21 points and eight rebounds, helping Breeze secure a 75-68 victory.
“I feel really good, I’ve been practicing a lot,” Malonga said after the game. “I didn’t want to be just a practice dunker—I wanted to do it during the game. I’m really happy… and it was amazing to feel the support from the crowd. Everyone’s excitement made it a great moment.”
This season marks Malonga’s first in Unrivaled play. Last year with Seattle, she averaged 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, shot 55.1% from the field, earned a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team, and finished fourth in the league’s Player of the Year voting. Malonga is also expected to remain a key player for the French national team, having been the youngest member of the squad that won silver at the 2024 Olympics.
The Breeze, which also features WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bakkers, will face the Races once more on Monday at 8:45 pm ET, broadcast on TNT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WATCH: WNBA star Dominic Malonga dunks in unbeatable game.
Fan Take: Seeing Dominic Malonga throw down a dunk in a competitive setting signals an exciting evolution for the WNBA and related leagues, highlighting the increasing athleticism and versatility of the players. Moments like this not only energize fans but also help elevate the sport’s visibility and inspire the next generation of athletes.
