Dominique Malonga Becomes Youngest WNBA All-Star to Dunk

Caption: Dominique Malonga in 2023. Credit: Chris93, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

The Dunk Changed the Energy in the Arena

Dominique Malonga took a pass from Angel Reese, reached an open lane and finished the play with a dunk that brought the United Center crowd to its feet. At 20, the Seattle Storm center became the youngest player to dunk in a WNBA All-Star Game.

The play was also the first dunk in the event since Sylvia Fowles did it in 2022 and only the seventh by any player in All-Star Game history.

Malonga Had Not Yet Dunked in a WNBA Game

The moment was unusual because Malonga had not recorded a dunk in her first 63 WNBA regular-season games. She had dunked in Europe, in Unrivaled competition and even during practice, but not in a league game wearing a Storm uniform.

The All-Star format finally created the open floor and cooperative setup needed to make the possibility real. The result became more memorable than another routine exhibition basket.

Her Night Included More Than One Highlight

Malonga finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds in 16 minutes, becoming the youngest player to record a double-double in a WNBA All-Star Game. The production showed why she was selected even before the dunk became the image of her night.

At 6-foot-6, Malonga combines size with mobility that has made the possibility of above-the-rim play part of nearly every discussion about her development.

The Moment Fit a Larger WNBA Celebration

The league held the game in Chicago during its 30th season and drew a record crowd of 19,783. The night also included Jonquel Jones completing an unprecedented collection of MVP awards and Nneka Ogwumike becoming the event’s career scoring leader.

Malonga’s dunk gave the celebration a single visual moment that casual viewers could understand immediately. It required no explanation of advanced statistics or defensive schemes.

One Play Became a Preview of What Could Follow

The dunk did not change the standings or erase the Storm’s difficult season. It did show how quickly a young player can create a league-wide identity when a rare physical skill appears on a major stage.

Malonga now owns an All-Star record before her 21st birthday. The next milestone will be bringing that same above-the-rim moment into a regular-season game.

References: Yahoo Sports | CBS Sports | AP News