The Seattle Storm saw their season end in the first round of the WNBA Playoffs last season. Entering the 2025 WNBA Draft, there was a bit of uncertainty as to who they would select with the No. 2 overall pick. However, the decision became clearer as guard Olivia Miles chose to pass on the draft, staying in college and now at TCU.
Seattle selected 19-year-old Dominique Malonga of Lyon in France, of the La Boulangère Wonderligue (LBWL), with their top pick. Without question, Malonga possesses tremendous upside as the forward/center provides versatility to the Storm’s frontcourt. She averaged a double-double with 18.4 points per game and 11 rebounds per game in 14 games for Lyon in the 2024-2025 season.
What’s more, Malonga has drawn comparisons to a fellow French player – Victor Webanyama. Webanyama stands at seven feet three with an estimated eight-foot wingspan, while Malonga is six foot six with a wingspan of over seven feet. Also, dunking comes second nature as both can do it all on the court.
There should be a high level of excitement in the Emerald City with the aforementioned frontcourt. This includes Nneka Ogwumike, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, Alysha Clark, Katie Lou Samuelson, Mackenzie Holmes, and now Malonga. Head coach Noelle Quinn will have some decisions to make as the WNBA rosters can hold a maximum of 12 players.
Seattle Added More Talent in the WNBA Draft
Besides Malonga, Seattle went all backcourt with their three picks in the third round. First, Serena Sundell of Kansas State (No. 25 overall), Madison Connor of TCU (No. 29 overall), and Madison Hobbs of Michigan (No. 34 overall).
Sundell led all of Women’s D-I basketball in assists per game (7.3) and finished in the top 15 in assist/turnover ratio (2.5). All in all, making this roster could be a toss-up with veteran backcourt players Skylar Diggins-Smith, Lexie Brown, and Erica Wheeler, along with second-year player Zia Cooke. Once again, I don’t envy the decision Seattle must make, as training camp is around the corner.
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