French basketball player
Dominique Malonga (born 16 November 2005) is a French professional basketball player for Tarbes Gespe Bigorre of the Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB) and member of the France women's national basketball team.
Early life
Malonga was born in Yaoundé, and is the daughter of Thalance Malonga and Agathe N'Nindjem-Yolemp.[1] Both of her parents are former basketball players, while her father is currently a doctor.[2][3]
Playing career
On 30 June 2021, Malonga signed with ASVEL Féminin of the LFB.[4] ASVEL Féminin president Tony Parker called her the female Victor Wembanyama.[5][6] During the 2021–22 season, in her first season with the club, she averaged six points and five rebounds in seven games.[7] During the 2022–23 season she missed six weeks due to injury and averaged 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in seven games.[8]
On 17 August 2023, she was loaned to Tarbes Gespe Bigorre of the LFB for the 2023–24 season.[9] During her first season with Tarbes Gespe Bigorre she averaged 11.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 25 games.[10]
National team career
Malonga made her international debut for France at the 2021 FIBA U16 Women's European Challengers where she averaged 19.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.8 blocks per game to help France qualify for the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Women's Basketball World Cup.[11]
During the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Women's Basketball World Cup she averaged a double-double of 18 points and ten rebounds per game and helped France win a bronze medal.[12] During the bronze medal game against Canada she scored 28 points and 17 rebounds. Following the tournament she was named to the all-tournament team.[13] She finished the tournament with the best efficiency rating of 22.4, ranked second in scoring and fourth in rebounds.[14]
During the 2024 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament she averaged nine points and 3.3 rebounds in three games, as France finished the tournament undefeated.[15] On 8 June 2024, she was named to France's roster to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics. At 18 years old, she is the youngest member on the team.[16][17]
References
External links