SAN FRANCISCO – Between the Seattle Storm arriving in the Bay Area at 8 p.m. on Friday night and a 9 a.m. shootaround, the WNBA’s most talented rookie did not have any time to sightsee
But 19-year-old Dominique Malonga, the 6-foot-6 hoops prodigy with the ability to dunk and a soft shooting touch, still found time to hang out and eat dinner with compatriot, fellow French hooper and Valkyries opponent Carla Leite, one of the few people she knew in San Francisco.
“I was at her place yesterday,” Malonga, 19, told the Bay Area News Group. ”I’m happy things are going well for her, and I think she’s a great fit here.”
Malonga’s confidence in her friend was not misplaced. With multiple starters away from the Valkyries for EuroBasket competition, Leite made her first start on Saturday night and scored 14 points in a 76-70 victory.
“Before the game, I was a little bit nervous because it was my first time (starting),” Leite, 21, said. “But I think I was ready.”
The WNBA rookies and former teammates on Ligue 1 powerhouse ASVEL Féminin are leading a new wave of young talent that is infusing the American league with French talent.
Seattle’s top prospect is arguably the most intriguing newcomer to hit the scene.
Malonga was the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft, a bundle of limitless talent considered by many to have more potential than any of her peers – a list that includes Dallas Wings megastar and top pick Paige Bueckers.
Dominque Malonga of the Seattle Storm cheers her teammates from the bench at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
A name familiar to Bay Area college basketball fans has been integral in helping her reach that ceiling.
Stanford alum Nneka Ogwumike is still one of the top players in the league, 13 years after leaving The Farm as the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft.
Once the rookie who had to battle Hall of Famer Candace Parker in practice every day, the 34-year-old is now the one tasked with guiding her young teammate.
“She catches on to things very quickly. She’s smart, she knows what her role is,” Ogwumike told the Bay Area News Group. “I love seeing her become a better player every time she steps on the court.”
That improvement has been slow but steady, with the rookie cracking double-digit minutes in six of her last eight games, but never exceeding 13 on a team with multiple star bigs.
She played only six minutes against the Valkyries, scoring just two points but also having an impressive block on Temi Fagbenle in the third quarter.
Malonga flashes high-level shot-making and defensive chops, but also exhibits mistakes understandable from someone so young.
While minutes have been somewhat sparse, she said playing in games is not the only way to get better.
“She’s my accountability partner, so every time I need something, she’s there to give me advice,” Malonga said after ending shootaround by chatting with Ogwumike on the bench. “I don’t need to ask her much because just by watching her play, I’m learning a lot. She’s been helpful since day one.”
Temi Fágbénlé of the Golden State Valkyries passes in the first half against the defense of Nneka Ogwumike of the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
Her Bay Area friend has had a similar developmental arc thus far.
Leite was the No. 9 selection in the 2024 draft by the Dallas Wings, who left her unprotected in the expansion draft and quickly scooped up by Golden State.
The point guard’s daring drives, pesky defense and audacious passes have made her a fan-favorite on a surprisingly competitive Valkyries squad that is 5-5 and in the early playoff picture.
“If she wanted to go (to EuroBasket), we would have supported her,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “But we’re grateful she decided to stay.”
The playing time has been up and down. She has played at least 20 minutes in four games, but under 10 in four others.
But fluctuating minutes does not impact her willingness to work, something that impresses Leite’s veteran teammate.
“She’s been in the weight room a little bit more, getting that up because she’s kind of thin. But she’s holding her own,” Kayla Thornton said after Friday’s practice. “I’m proud of her, because she’s a rookie that hasn’t been in the league (for long) and she’s being thrown in the fire fast, but she’s grasping everything.”
Carla Leite of the Valkyries looks for the basket in the first half against the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
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As Leite continues to mature physically and Malonga polishes her prodigious skillset, the sky is the limit for not just them as players, but for their national team.
France’s national team has a strong history, with Céline Dumerc being named Europe’s women’s basketball player of the year in 2012 and leading the country to three EuroBasket silver medals.
But the current crop has a chance at gold.
Malonga was a rotation player for the French Olympic team, which Leite narrowly missed out on. They, along with fellow 23-year-old Valkyrie Janelle Salaün, lead what should be a future powerhouse.
“We are really talented, and you see that in the youth championships, European championships and World Cups,” Malonga said. “France always stands out, and we have huge, huge talent.”
Leite agreed.
“It’s our job, with Dominique, Gabby (Williams), Marine (Johannes) and myself to just lead by example, because yes, we have great talent in France,” Leite said.
Though the future is bright for Malonga and French basketball as a whole, Leite is showing that the present is not too shabby either for the Bay Area’s precocious point guard who made the most of her first start.
“This is her first rodeo, and she’s been thrown in the fire early,” Thornton said. “But that little girl is doing an amazing job, and her confidence is just out of the roof. I’m just proud of her.”
Carla Leite of the Golden State Valkyries shoots in the first half against the Seattle Storm at the Chase Center in San Francisco, CA on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Don Feria for Bay Area News Group)
