Dominique Malonga’s journey in her debut Unrivaled season has been nothing short of remarkable, but one glaring area for improvement just revealed itself in the most unexpected way. While she’s dominating the paint with an impressive 15.4 points on efficient shooting and pulling down 10.6 rebounds per game, her recent 1-on-1 tournament performance spotlighted a critical weakness: her ball-handling on the perimeter. And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just about her stats; it’s about the next step in her evolution as a player.
During her matchup with Aaliyah Edwards, Malonga initially thrived by attacking the rim with confidence. But when Edwards tightened her perimeter defense, Malonga struggled. For instance, up 6-0, she attempted to drive past Edwards but was forced into an awkward, off-balance three-pointer that missed. Later, trailing 9-8, she attacked Edwards’s left side but had to pick up her dribble prematurely, resulting in another rushed and inaccurate shot from beyond the arc. These moments weren’t just missed opportunities—they were clear indicators of where her game needs refinement.
Here’s the thing: Malonga is already a force in the paint and excels in transition. But here’s where it gets controversial—if she can develop a reliable perimeter game and improve her ball-handling away from the basket, she could become virtually unstoppable. Imagine a player who’s just as comfortable draining mid-range jumpers as she is finishing at the rim. That’s the potential we’re talking about.
At just nineteen, Malonga is the youngest player in both the WNBA and Unrivaled, yet she’s already holding her own against seasoned veterans. Last season, she went from a benchwarmer to a key playoff contributor, even matching up against A’ja Wilson. In Unrivaled, she outshone Cameron Brink for a starting spot on the Breeze and is one of only four players averaging a double-double. Her 52.4% field-goal percentage ranks tenth in the league, proving her efficiency is no fluke.
What’s truly mind-blowing—and a little daunting—is that this is just the beginning. Every game, every tournament, every challenge is a stepping stone for Malonga. Whether it’s facing WNBA stars, battling Unrivaled’s best, or competing in 1-on-1 matchups, she’s only going to get better. The ceiling for this young talent is sky-high.
In today’s WNBA, versatility is the name of the game, especially for bigs. Malonga’s athleticism, court vision, and willingness to expand her range already set her apart. But mastering the perimeter could elevate her from a promising young talent to the face of the Seattle Storm. Speaking of the Storm, with a first-time head coach at the helm and their All-Stars hitting free agency, the franchise could easily pivot from championship contention to a rebuild centered around Malonga and their 2026 lottery pick. Is this the right move? Or should they double down on immediate success? Let’s debate this in the comments.
One thing’s for sure: Dominique Malonga is just scratching the surface of her potential. The question isn’t if she’ll take the next step—it’s how far she’ll go. What do you think? Is Malonga the future face of the WNBA, or is there still too much ground for her to cover? Share your thoughts below!
