{"id":143420,"date":"2025-09-14T13:45:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T13:45:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/143420\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T13:45:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T13:45:07","slug":"seattle-storm-star-named-ap-all-rookie-after-breakout-debut-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/143420\/","title":{"rendered":"Seattle Storm Star Named AP All-Rookie After Breakout Debut Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Las Vegas is not a forgiving place for rookies. The Aces are loud, physical, and relentless inside. But on August 8, Seattle Storm’s<\/a> Dominique Malonga matched them play for play. She scored 22 points, pulled down 12 rebounds, and did it all with the calm of someone far older than her 19 years.<\/p>\n

It was the kind of night that lingers. One game doesn\u2019t define a career, but it told everyone what Seattle already believed: their No. 2 overall pick was ready now.<\/p>\n

\"Dominique<\/p>\n

Aug 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) shoots the ball against Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) during the second half of a WNBA basketball game at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images \/ Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

From Lyon to Seattle<\/p>\n

Malonga grew up in Lyon, France, a teenager already drawing attention across Europe for her size and skill. By April, the Storm made her the second pick in the WNBA Draft, a decision driven as much by potential as by need.<\/p>\n

At 6-foot-6, she was impossible to miss. But what impressed most wasn\u2019t just her frame. It was the way she carried herself \u2014 unhurried, steady, unfazed by the league\u2019s speed. Seattle put her in the rotation immediately, and she rewarded the trust.<\/p>\n

\"Malonga\"<\/p>\n

Sep 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) blocks a shot by Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle (14) during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images \/ Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Steady Growth, Game by Game<\/p>\n

Her numbers were solid, but her presence was steadier than the stat sheet showed. Over 34 games, she averaged 9.8 points and 6.1 rebounds, hitting more than half her shots. That production came in about 17 minutes a night, a sign of just how efficient she was.<\/p>\n

And then came August, the stretch that announced her to the league. She backed up the Vegas breakout with 20 points and 11 rebounds in Los Angeles. A week later in Dallas, she scored 22 more, missing only twice from the field while swatting away three shots. Washington saw another double-double. For a rookie, it wasn\u2019t just a hot streak \u2014 it was proof she could sustain it.<\/p>\n

\"Malonga\"<\/p>\n

Sep 1, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) blocks a layup attempt by Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) during the first quarter at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images \/ Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

More Than Just Numbers<\/p>\n

What separated Malonga from most rookies was her reliability. Seattle didn\u2019t need her to be a star every night. They needed rebounds, rim protection, and points in the paint. She delivered.<\/p>\n

By the time the season ended, Malonga had set a WNBA record for most points in the paint off the bench in a single season. That kind of record doesn\u2019t come from one or two great games. It comes from consistency \u2014 the layups, the putbacks, the buckets in traffic that don\u2019t always make highlights but keep a team afloat.<\/p>\n

Dominique Malonga scored her 260th point in the paint to set the WNBA single-season record for PITP off the bench, passing 2022 Sixth Player of the Year Brionna Jones.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Seattle Storm PR (@SeattleStormPR) September 10, 2025<\/a>Standing With the Best Young Bigs<\/p>\n

Being named to the Associated Press All-Rookie Team placed her alongside names like Aliyah Boston, Shakira Austin, and Charli Collier in recent seasons. Boston dominated right away in Indiana, winning Rookie of the Year. Austin became a defensive anchor in Washington. Collier\u2019s development took longer in Dallas.<\/p>\n

Malonga\u2019s numbers look closest to Austin\u2019s, though her age makes her path unique. Doing this at 19 hints at a ceiling still years away from being reached.<\/p>\n

The future is bright \ud83e\udd29<\/p>\n

Congratulations to Dominique Malonga on being named to the @AP_Sports<\/a> All-Rookie Team! \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc4f pic.twitter.com\/Nor7eNb6dN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) September 12, 2025<\/a>What It Means for Seattle<\/p>\n

The Storm now have their frontcourt of the future. Ezi Magbegor has already proven herself as one of the league\u2019s best defenders. Malonga adds size, touch, and energy. Together, they form a pairing that could anchor Seattle for the next decade. And with veterans like Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins guiding the locker room, Malonga doesn\u2019t have to carry the weight of the franchise alone.<\/p>\n

\"Storm\"<\/p>\n

Sep 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; The Seattle Storm celebrate after defeating the Golden State Valkyries at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images \/ Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Just the Beginning<\/p>\n

Malonga\u2019s rookie year was supposed to be about learning. Instead, it turned into proof. Proof that she could handle the league\u2019s physicality. Proof that she could contribute on a playoff team. Proof that Seattle\u2019s gamble in April was already paying off.<\/p>\n

Being named to the AP All-Rookie Team is a recognition of what she did in year one. But for Malonga, it\u2019s only a starting point.<\/p>\n

At 19, she already looks like a cornerstone. For Seattle, that\u2019s not just good news for the future. That\u2019s good news right now.<\/p>\n

DOMinating the paint on both ends of the floor \ud83d\udd25 pic.twitter.com\/VIO7NQT1AJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) September 11, 2025<\/a>