After the Draft of Malonga, the big declaration in the US on France: “the rebirth of basketball”

By Joël Pütz | Sports journalist

Dominique Malonga is the latest French nugget to land in the United States, after being selected at the Draft WNBA. The hype around the young player also pushed the clutchpoint site to a shattering update on France.

There was something to be disappointed after the Paris Olympic Games. Whether in men or women, the outcome was the same with a defeat of France in the final against Team USA. But one thing has jumped in everyone's eyes: the future of the orange ball on the tricolor soil is resplendent and this is particularly seen in the United States.

France revolutionizing world basketball?

It has been a few years since the blue-white-red basketball players have formed one of the most important quota in the NBA, with some big monsters like Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert. On the side of the WNBA, it was Dominique Malonga who had the honor of being drafted in second position by Seattle, a few days ago. The American site ClutchPoints has also taken the opportunity to warn its audience:

France is not just arriving, it redefines the royalty of basketball. When Victor Wembanyama became No. 1 of the Draft NBA 2023, it was not only a moment. It was a seismic change. He was not only the future, he was the revolution. A year later, the takeover intensified. Zacharie Risacher and Alex Sarr met at the first and second place in the Draft 2024, silenced all doubts that France had become the new epicenter of excellence in basketball.

A breathtaking draft evening that sent a clear message: the pipeline from France is not only flowing, it is in the process of flooding. And in 2025, the legend grew up. Dominique Malonga, a world star in full ascent, was chosen in second position during the WNBA draft. His game combines power, grace and a basketball Qi much higher than his age.

From Lyon to Seattle Storm, she embodies the fierce ambition and excellence that become synonymous with French talent. It is not a coincidence, it is a movement. Three years. Four choices among the first two. A country. A renaissance of basketball born in France, forged in fire and carried by a generation which rewrites the rules of the game. The field is now global, and France leads the charge.

This will not appeal to American fans in particular, but the fact is that if the United States remains at the top of the food chain, the rest of the world and particularly their French rivals are gradually nibbling. This could also culminate in an attempted epic revenge in 2028, during the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Victor Wembanyama, Zaccharie Risacher, Alex Sarr, Dominique Malonga and all the others: whether in men or women, French basketball has a bright future ahead of him. Even American experts can only delete the public from the danger.