Malonga's Historic All-Star Slam
Dominique Malonga Becomes Youngest Player to Dunk, Record Double-Double in WNBA All-Star History
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Key Points
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Dunk timing and venue: Malonga's right-handed dunk occurred with 6:24 left in the second quarter at the United Center in Chicago, marking the first dunk in a WNBA All-Star Game since Sylvia Fowles in 2022.
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Stat line nuances: In 16 minutes, Malonga totaled 12 points and 13 rebounds, with all 12 points coming in the first half (6-of-10 before halftime, 0-for-7 after) and she secured 5 offensive rebounds.
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Background and draft pedigree: Malonga is a 6-foot-6 center from Yaoundé, Cameroon; she was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, selected behind Paige Bueckers, and signed her first pro contract with ASVEL Féminin at age 15.
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Event context: The All-Star game was part of the WNBA's 30th-anniversary celebration, underscoring a milestone year for the league.
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Dunking rarity: Malonga joined a short list of players to dunk in a WNBA game, marking her as the ninth player ever to achieve a dunk in league play.
Dominique Malonga made history at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday, becoming the youngest player ever to dunk in a WNBA All-Star Game. The 20-year-old Seattle Storm center threw down a right-handed slam with 6:24 left in the second quarter, the first All-Star dunk since Sylvia Fowles in 2022, according to Yahoo Sports.
Malonga finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds in just 16 minutes, also making her the youngest player to record a double-double in All-Star history. Her team, Team Coop, lost 129-122 to Team Spoon. Jonquel Jones took MVP honors with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists.
Angel Reese Sets Up the Night's Defining Moment
The dunk did not happen alone. Angel Reese pushed the ball up the floor on a fast break and found Malonga streaking to the rim. Malonga caught the pass and slammed it home with one hand. Tippah News reported that the league confirmed Malonga's status as the youngest player ever to dunk in All-Star Game history.
Malonga sent public thanks to Reese after the game, calling out the assist that set up the historic moment, according to EssentiallySports. The two players are rivals in the league but shared the spotlight on this night. The crowd at the United Center, hosting the All-Star Game during the WNBA's 30th-anniversary season, erupted on the play.
A Stat Line That Dominated the First Half Only
Malonga was nearly unstoppable before halftime. She went 6-of-10 from the field and scored all 12 of her points in the first half. She also grabbed five offensive rebounds in her 16 minutes of play. After the break, she went 0-for-7 from the field and did not score again, per Yahoo Sports.
Still, 13 total rebounds in 16 minutes is a remarkable number at any level. The double-double locked in her place in the record books. No player younger than 20 had ever posted that stat line in All-Star history, the league said.
From Yaoundé to the No. 2 Draft Pick
Malonga grew up in Yaoundé, Cameroon and stands 6 feet 6 inches tall. She signed her first pro contract with ASVEL Féminin in France at just 15 years old. The Seattle Storm selected her with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, right behind Paige Bueckers, according to EssentiallySports.
Her dunk also placed her among a very short list of players. Head Topics reported she became the seventh player in league history to dunk in a WNBA game. Other sources list the number as nine. Either way, she joins names like Lisa Leslie, Brittney Griner, Jonquel Jones, and Sylvia Fowles in that rare group.
Jones Wins MVP as Team Spoon Tops Team Coop
While Malonga grabbed the highlight, Jonquel Jones ran the show. The New York Liberty center scored 22 points, pulled down 13 rebounds, and dished out eight assists to earn MVP honors, according to MyNorthwest Sports. Jones helped Team Spoon pull away late for a 129-122 win.
The game was part of the WNBA's 30th-anniversary celebration. The league has grown sharply in visibility over the past two seasons, and Saturday's All-Star showcase in Chicago was one of its biggest nights yet. For Malonga, at just 20 years old, the night was only a beginning.
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