From Paris to the USA, who is Dominique Malonga, the basketball prodigy that we compare to Victor Wembanyama?

Rare precocity, an impressive size and explosive maturity. In recent years, Dominique Malonga intrigues basketball followers. At only 18, the young ASVEL player has just spent a course in her stellar trajectory. During the night of Monday, April 14, April 15, 2025, the interior of the French team was selected in Second position of the WNBA Draftthe North American League considered as one of the most prestigious, by the Seattle Storm.

A childhood in Cameroon and in the Paris region

It is the first Frenchwoman to be chosen in this rank since Isabelle Fijalkowski, in 1997. An exceptional performance which testifies to her potential, already observed during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Faced with much more experienced players, the 1m98 athlete showed his Athletic qualities. And this, when she had already aroused many reactions on social networks in front of the French first to make a dunk in a professional match, October 30, 2024.

This verticality was identified very early. Born in Yaoundé, at CameroonParents basketball players, the girl landed at 10 in Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine), before joining the Paris Basket 18 club, as reported France 3 Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. Very early, Dominique Malonga leaves for Rueil-Malmaison (Hauts-de-Seine), where she catches the eye of INSEP recruiters. She joined the Bois de Vincennes at 13 years old.

Alongside older players, the interior explodes. To the point of seducing the boss of Asvel, Tony Parker, who decides to offer him a role in his club at 15 years old. An ascent that echoes that of Victor Wembanyama. Before shining in NBAthe Olympic vice-champion, star of the San Antonio Spurs, had evolved at the France pole of INSEP. The start of her professional career took place at Nanterre 92, a well -known city of the player.

From now on, the two prodigies of French basketball will meet in the United States. Dominique Malonga will start his new adventure with the Storm franchise, quadruple WNBA champion on May 16. For his part, Victor Wembanyama is arrested for several months due to a shoulder thrombosis. His participation in the euro is compromised.

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