Dominique Malonga soared, etching her name in history with her first professional in-game dunk, a powerful statement of arrival.
Dominique Malonga’s reputation crossed the Atlantic long before she did, but Saturday night delivered the moment many had been waiting to see.
Before becoming the No. 2 overall pick by the Seattle Storm in the 2025 WNBA draft, Malonga was widely known for something still rare in the women’s game: her ability to dunk. That conversation followed her into her rookie season, through her adjustment to the WNBA, and now into a new stage of her career.
For the first time on a U.S. hardwood, Malonga made that athletic promise tangible in a game.
Playing for Breeze BC in Unrivaled, the 6-foot-6 forward rose effortlessly for a right-handed dunk in the first quarter against the Lunar Owls on Saturday night. The play came off a clean feed from Rickea Jackson and immediately jolted the arena, serving as both a highlight and a marker of Malonga’s growing comfort in the U.S. professional game.
The dunk was the first of the current Unrivaled season and another reminder of the league’s emphasis on pace, space, and skill. It was not, however, unprecedented in league history. Brittney Griner recorded a dunk last season, setting an early standard for what the fast-paced 3-on-3 format could showcase.
What made Saturday’s moment stand out was its personal significance. Malonga did not record a dunk during her rookie WNBA campaign with Seattle, making this the first in-game dunk of her professional career in the United States.
She backed the highlight with production. Malonga finished with 21 points and eight rebounds as Breeze pulled away late for a 75–68 victory, reinforcing that the moment was not an isolated flash but part of a complete performance.
After the game, Malonga explained that the dunk was the result of intention, not chance, and reflected how long she had been working toward executing it in competition.
“I don’t want to be a practice (dunker), I want to do that in-game,” Malonga said. “So, I’m happy about that. … I was happy to feel the love from the whole arena, actually. Everybody was so hyped up — it was a great moment.”
This season marks Malonga’s first in Unrivaled, adding another layer to an already eventful start to her professional career. She earned a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team last season after averaging 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 55.1% from the field. She also placed fourth in Sixth Player of the Year voting, carving out a role through efficiency and rim protection rather than highlight plays.
Malonga is widely viewed as a foundational piece for the French national program and already has Olympic experience. She was the youngest player on France’s roster at the 2024 Games, where the team advanced to the final and secured a silver medal.
Breeze’s roster offers Malonga both freedom and visibility. The team also features reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, placing Malonga in lineups built to move quickly and attack mismatches — an environment well-suited for her blend of length and agility.
Breeze returns to action Monday night, facing the Laces at 8:45 p.m. ET on TNT. After Saturday’s breakthrough, Malonga will not need a reminder that the eyes of the basketball world are now following more than just her potential.