Dominique Malonga (basketball) explained

Dominique Malonga
Position:Forward-center
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
League:LFB
Team:Tarbes Gespe Bigorre
Birth Date:16 November 2005
Birth Place:Yaoundé, Cameroon
Career Start:2022
Years1:2022–present
Team1:ASVEL Féminin
Years2:2023–24
Team2:Tarbes GB

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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dominique Malonga, prodige du basketball, revient en famille à Flers . actu.fr . Nicolas . Segura . 30 July 2023 . 22 July 2024 . fr.
  2. Web site: Dominique Malonga (ASVEL) : « Les attentes autour de moi me motivent » . lequotidiendusport.fr . Jean-Marc . Azzola . 9 May 2022 . 22 July 2024 . fr.
  3. Web site: Flers. Deux délégations africaines à un tournoi de basket . . 28 November 2019 . 22 July 2024 . fr.
  4. Web site: Dominique Malonga, nouvelle Lionne . ldlcasvelfeminin.com . 30 June 2021 . 22 July 2024 . fr.
  5. Web site: 16-year-old French girls basketball player Dominique Malonga goes viral dunking . . Logan . Newman . 21 October 2022 . 22 July 2024.
  6. Web site: Six rising stars ready to shine at Paris 2024 . fiba.basketball . 15 July 2024 . 22 July 2024.
  7. Web site: Malonga head and shoulders above the Top 5 girls campers at BWB Europe . fiba.basketball . 17 June 2022 . 22 July 2024.
  8. Web site: Six semaines d'absence pour Dominique MALONGA . ldlcasvelfeminin.com . 8 February 2023 . 22 July 2024 . fr.
  9. Web site: Dominique Malonga prêtée à Tarbes pour la saison 2023-2024 . ldlcasvelfeminin.com . 17 August 2023 . 22 July 2024 . fr.
  10. Web site: Dominique Malonga sacrée meilleure jeune du championnat . ldlcasvelfeminin.com . 11 April 2024 . 22 July 2024 . fr.
  11. Web site: The standout players from the FIBA U16 Women's European Challengers . fiba.basketball . 17 August 2021 . 22 July 2024.
  12. Web site: Les Bleues U17 en bronze, Dominique dans le 5 majeur ! . ldlcasvelfeminin.com . 17 July 2022 . 22 July 2024 . fr.
  13. Web site: Watkins named TISSOT MVP, leads All-Star Five . fiba.basketball . 18 July 2022 . 22 July 2024.
  14. Web site: Who is the 16-year-old dunking sensation Dominique Malonga? . fiba.basketball . 21 October 2022 . 22 July 2024.
  15. Web site: Team Profile: Will France deliver a fairytale in front of their fans? . fiba.basketball . 20 July 2024 . 22 July 2024.
  16. Web site: Les 12 Bleus retenus pour Paris 2024 . ffbb.com . 8 June 2024 . 22 July 2024 . fr.
  17. Web site: Teenage Malonga breathes fire for France . fiba.basketball . 2 July 2024 . 22 July 2024.