Dominique

Malonga

Williams was among the best players at last summer’s Olympics in Paris, nearly leading France to an upset of the United States in the gold medal game. Malonga played limited minutes as a reserve but is considered France’s next elite basketball talent. Unfortunately for France, both have elected to focus their efforts this summer on the WNBA, foregoing representing their nation at EuroBasket. Due to salary cap rules and the ACL tear suffered by Katie Lou Samuelson, the Storm will likely begin this season with 10 active players. Williams and Malonga’s decision not to join their national team, with France opening its pre-tournament camp on Sunday, significantly boosts the Storm’s chances of contending.

Holmes was the 26th overall pick in the 2024 draft, but she has yet to appear in an official WNBA game. Knee surgery sidelined her for the 2024 season, and Seattle boasted multiple reliable frontcourt options in training camp as it prepared for the 2025 campaign. And with Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga deciding to forego representing France at this summer’s EuroBasket, Holmes was in a challenging spot regarding making the final roster.

Among the players on the ASVEL roster is Dominique Malonga, who was the second overall pick in the WNBA Draft on April 14. With training camps scheduled to open on April 27, the chances of Malonga being with the Storm to begin the regular season on May 16 have likely increased due to ASVEL’s elimination. Even if Malonga is not ready, Seattle will have ample frontcourt depth in her absence, with Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike leading the way.

The second overall pick in Monday’s WNBA Draft, the 6-foot-6 Malonga, who is only 19 years old, possesses an incredibly high upside. However, she’ll finish her season with ASVEL Féminin in France before joining the Storm. ASVEL begins the quarterfinal round of its league tournament on Friday, and an early elimination would mean that Malonga would miss only a short period with the Storm. Training camp opens on April 27, and the regular season begins on May 16.

Malonga is the latest in the recent wave of French professionals to hear their name called early in drafts. The 6-foot-6 center earned a roster spot at 18 on the French national team that was just a basket short of upsetting the United States and earning a gold medal in the 2024 Olympics. She then used that experience to become one of the more productive players in the EuroCup this season, averaging a double-double while leading ASVEL to the semifinals. At just 19 years of age, Malonga’s length, athleticism, and skill set on both ends of the floor are why she has the potential of becoming a special WNBA player. While Seattle’s draft needs lie in the backcourt, a talent of Malonga’s caliber is challenging to pass up. Among the players she’ll join are French national teammate Gabby Williams and veteran forward Nneka Ogwumike, which should help the rookie transition to the WNBA.