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For Dominique Malonga on 14 is a special, favorite and magical number. She wears it – successfully – with the jersey of her Asvel club or with the blue tunic of the French team. This figure further brought him happiness last night. This April 14 in New York, the 19 -year -old woman entered the history of French basketball being called second in the Draft WNBA – the female counterpart of the NBA – by the Seattle Storm franchise. A first for a Frenchie for 28 years and Isabelle Fijalkowski's draft (n ° 2 in 1997).
A few hours after the ceremony, and after a very short night of rest, the one which is often presented as the female version of Victor Wembanyama, and which is the first French to have succeeded in a dunk during a European match, responded to a French media panel. The Storm's cap targeted on the head and a bright smile. Chosen pieces.
La draft WNBA
“It is a dream come true. When I was little I looked at these players and now I'm going to face them. It's incredible to get there. But I have been there because I have gone into power in recent years, it was a source of going there. Finally the plan has executed as planned. Being called in 2nd position in a world where the Europeans were not really respected, being the highest European pick of the draft is incredible. »»
Its place of number 2
“I am not objective. Of course I tell myself that I deserved this first place because I am the youngest of this draft, because I was evolving in a professional championship unlike it (Paige Bueckers, chosen in 1st position). We can always weigh the pros and cons but it also has arguments that are not negligible. The WNBA is ascending and still wants to evolve. If you can draf a player who can allow you to change the media and marketing dimension you do not hesitate. She showed a lot of things, she can fill rooms and have an impact like Caitlin Clark (Draft number 1 in 2024). I am only the French that people have just discovered, it matters. It deserves its place and I am very satisfied with mine. It is not that the story of a classification, to finish number 1 or 2 is good but what matters is to fall in the right place, to have better project for yourself, the one that suits us. I know I'm in a very good franchise. I'm happy. »»
His desire to “leave a trace in basketball”, like Victor Wembanyama
“I didn't know he said that too, but it's a great coincidence. It's one more thing that binds us. I was questioned in a media last week, I was asked if I wanted to become a legend. Afterwards I said to myself why not. Yes I am able to do things that may not have been done yet. Leaving my trace in history is also the best way to thank all the people who helped me be where I am. I want to mark my career as historical moments. I know I am able to. If it can change the situation for female and European basketball I will be proud of it. »»
Ses dunks
“I think the message was received (She laughs). There was a compilation of my dunks during the draft. I had a lot of remarks too, I was told that I was waiting for me to have dunke in WNBA. I can't wait to spend a few over there. But I don't want my game to be reduced to that either, I want to be the most versatile player as possible. »»
Ses ambitions
“I just want to be Dominique Malonga on the ground. Do what I can do. We know on which aspects of play I dominate, I am quite mobile, versatile in the field, whether inside or outside. The world knows what I can do on a parquet but there is also my personality, my character. I always give myself 100 %, this is this image that I want to bring to WNBA. I am a fighter, whether for 5 or 20 minutes of play. I always give everything and I want to do everything well. The Storm is a very competitive franchise, of a very high level, we can see it with their infrastructure. Everything is set up to be as efficient as possible, I can't wait to set foot in this universe. »»
The American look at French basketball
“I think that the American look has completely changed on French basketball in recent months (…). The Olympic final has played enormously (American players) have never been moved in this way. They had to wonder what was going on on the other side of the Atlantic (She smiles). This must have intrigued them. It's great. It highlights the evolution of international basketball, FIBA ​​basketball, it sets the record straight. We can come as an European and not be afraid, we can look at the Americans in the eyes to tell them that we also have our place to play in WNBA. »»
His journey
“There is a lot of pride because I realize that I spent caps very quickly. I have a particular story. A few years ago I didn't want to become a professional basketball player at all, my priority was to study. But it was the basketball that found me … Today I am so happy to have made this choice. I remember the little girl who looked at her mother on the ground but who especially wanted to come back to read her book. There is joy, emotion and pride. When I look back, I tell myself that the path is already extraordinary at 19 but that it is just beginning. »»
His return to France with ASVEL
“The draft is a moment that we only live once in a life, it does not miss. I wanted to experience this with my family. We found the best compromise with the club so that everyone is there. I will go into the best conditions for Friday (Lyon faces Basket Landes on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Baker Wonderligue). There is a gym here and I haven't stopped working. The season is not over with Lyon, the goal is to go as far as possible in playoffs with this team and finish the adventure in the best in the way. »»
His summer
“It will be well busy, so you should not scatter. Everything must be organized. For the moment, even if the draft has just ended, I am above all focused on the playoffs of the French championship with my Lyon club. When I start in something I always devote myself to it, with the desire to do well. Then we will go to the WNBA then to the French team (with the Euro from June 18 to 29), I know that my family will help me for the move and will help save my energy. I devote myself 100 % to the place where I am. »»
His fans in France
“I want to tell the daily life of a basketball player in WNBA. I became aware at the start of the week how followed I was in France. Even if Seattle is on the other side of the United States and there is a high jet lag, the goal is to share as much as possible with the French public. I had 17,000 subscribers on Instagram on Saturday, I now have 25,000. I will be more and more active on social networks. I want to make all the support that people gave me. »»
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