France's teen sensation Malonga ready to dunk on WNBA
NEW YORK - A 6'6" teenage dunking sensation out of France is ready to take the WNBA by storm, as second overall draft pick Dominique Malonga brings experience well beyond her years to Seattle.
The 19-year-old is known as the "female Wembanyama" - after compatriot and NBA star Victor Wembanyama - for her distinctive size and athleticism, and is on her way to becoming a fan favourite even before the Seattle Storm's Saturday season tipoff.
"Dominique is well beyond her years when it comes to being a pro. She catches on to things very quickly. She asks the right questions," said veteran Nneka Ogwumike, the 2016 league MVP.
"I'm very grateful that we have her here, especially because she dunks and I don't want get dunked on."
She has wasted no time showing off that signature skill, dunking in her first practice with the team in footage that quickly picked up momentum on social media.
Despite her youth, Malonga already has the advantage of four years of professional experience playing in Europe, though she told reporters the new league would take some adjustment.
"There is a huge difference I would say in the pace. The game is so fast here and I need to really adapt to that. But that's also what I like because I love to run, to run the floor and that's also where I feel that I fit to this game," she said.
Malonga, who helped France to silver as the youngest player on her national team at the Paris Olympics, said that playing in high-level games at a young age would make her an asset in the WNBA, where rookies are typically 21 or older.
"I can bring to this league versatility. I will run the floor. I will defend. And I will be a rim protector, and I think that I can really help this team to go far," she said. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
35 minutes ago
- Straits Times
India closing in on battling draw as England fail to make further inroads
Cricket - International Test Match Series - Fourth Test - England v India - Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, Britain - July 27, 2025 India's Shubman Gill plays a shot off a ball bowled by England's Jofra Archer and is caught out by Jamie Smith Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith MANCHESTER, England - After being 0-2 early in their second innings, India continued to battle on to frustrate England on day five of the fourth test at Old Trafford on Sunday, the tourists doing everything possible to keep the series alive on 322-4 at tea. Shubman Gill's courageous century added to England's woes in the morning session, before Washington Sundar and veteran Ravindra Jadeja both hit unbeaten half centuries after lunch to give India a second-innings lead of 11. A tantalising, closely-contested series in which every test has gone to the final day reached a crucial point as England targeted victory in the match that would seal series success with one fixture still to come. England skipper Ben Stokes, who took five wickets in India's first innings but was not fit to bowl in the tourists' first 63 overs of their second on Saturday, brought himself into the attack on Sunday morning with India resuming on 174-2. The move paid dividends as Stokes, still feeling the effects of several injuries, trapped KL Rahul leg before wicket for 90, ending the third-wicket partnership -- India having been 0-2 when Gill and Rahul came to the crease -- at 188. Gill remained undeterred, even after getting a nasty-looking blow on the hand, to move to his fourth century of the series. In his first as captain, the 25-year-old became only the third skipper to score four hundreds in a single test series. After almost seven hours at the crease, a tired-looking Gill wafted at a Jofra Archer delivery to fall just before lunch for 103. Jadeja was then dropped the very next ball by Joe Root but survived to return for the afternoon session. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore Younger generation must inherit and strengthen Singapore's multiculturalism: David Neo Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Sundar moved along conservatively after lunch, with a draw India's only realistic target. He then hit successive boundaries, one a huge six, to move to his fifth test half century, before Jadeja reached his latest milestone. England looked short of ideas after struggling to cause India any afternoon problems. Sundar will resume on 57 after tea, Jadeja on 53. REUTERS

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Belgian Grand Prix starts after long rain delay
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Formula One F1 - Belgian Grand Prix - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot, Belgium - July 27, 2025 Ferrari mechanics with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton car in the pit lane after the start of the race was delayed due to weather REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium - The Belgian Formula One Grand Prix started after four laps behind the safety car on Sunday following a delay of nearly an hour and a half due to rain and poor visibility at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. After an initial formation lap behind the safety car, the cars were brought into the pit lane and the starting procedure halted. "I can't see a lot behind the safety car so I can't imagine what it's like for everyone else," McLaren's pole-sitter Lando Norris, who is nine points behind championship-leading teammate Oscar Piastri, said over the team radio. After the long wait, the FIA cleared the race to start once standing water had been removed. The safety car then led the field around to assess visibility before a rolling start was decided. The rain-affected 2021 Belgian Grand Prix remains the shortest race in Formula One history with only three laps completed behind the safety car and half points awarded. "We should just run," said Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen over the radio when the red flags were shown. "They're way too cautious." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole did not happen overnight: Experts Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Asia Singapore-only car washes will get business licences revoked, says Johor govt Sport Arsenal beat Newcastle in five-goal thriller to bring Singapore Festival of Football to a close Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore Younger generation must inherit and strengthen Singapore's multiculturalism: David Neo Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Nico Rosberg, the retired 2016 world champion, told Sky Sports television that there was little drivers could do other than wait. "The conditions out there are horrendous and the race start will be extremely difficult," said the German. "You can't see anything. You have long straights but must stay flat, but you're blind, looking left or right at the wall to find a brake marker board." REUTERS

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Chinese swimmer reaches world championship final aged 12
Find out what's new on ST website and app. China's swimmer Yu Zidi competes in the semi-finals of the women's 200m individual medley swimming event during the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on July 27, 2025. SINGAPORE – Chinese swimming prodigy Yu Zidi surprised even herself after reaching the final of the 200m individual medley at the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) in Singapore on July 27. The schoolgirl squeezed into the final at the WCH Arena in seventh place in 2min 10.22sec in what is not her best event. Yu, who juggles swimming with her homework, is also competing in the 400m medley and the 200m butterfly against most of the best swimmers on the planet. 'I'm in? Oh, I'm happy about that and I will continue to work harder,' she said after realising she had made the final on July 28. 'I hope to find a breakthrough at these world championships and show my potential.' Asked how it felt to be on the world stage, following some eye-catching performances at China's national championships, she said: 'It feels really good. How do I put it... it's much more than my expectations. 'You can feel it's quite intense. I try not to think so much, and just give it my all.' Yu discovered swimming as a small child in order to escape China's fierce summer heat. Yu, who turns 13 in October, previously told Chinese state media: 'I often went to cool off at swimming pools... (and) a coach discovered me.' Olympic champion and world record holder Summer McIntosh qualified fastest for the 200m medley final in 2:07.39. REUTERS