At only 19 years old, Dominique Malonga took the WNBA by storm. She became the youngest player to record a double-double and the first teenager to do it in the playoffs. She left no doubt about her ceiling and future stardom. Malonga is still very young, though, and fulfilling her potential will take a lot of work, including effort outside the WNBA season.

Malonga has the perfect plans for this offseason to come into her sophomore season as prepared as possible and ready to reach new heights. She will play for the Turkish club Fenerbahce, joining a star-studded roster and a winning organization. Playing with some of the best veteran centers out there will undoubtedly help prepare Malonga for her second WNBA season, which should feature a bigger role than she started with as a rookie.

Malonga will play with several stars and championship veterans

Fenerbahce has found plenty of success in recent years, winning two EuroLeague titles in 2023 and 2024 and several Turkish League championships. It also regularly attracts top talent. Chelsea Gray, Candace Parker, Cappie Pondexter, Angel McCoughtry, Kelsey Plum, Breanna Stewart, and Diana Taurasi, among others, all suited up for Fenerbahce at some point.

This season’s roster also features plenty of star power. Emma Meesseman and Jonquel Jones are former WNBA Finals MVPs and champions. Gabby Williams, Kayla McBride, and Julie Allemand are veteran stars, and Iliana Rupert is a rising young talent in Europe and the WNBA.

Playing with Williams is obviously an advantage for Malonga’s future with the Seattle Storm if Williams re-signs with the team this offseason. However, playing with and practicing against Meesseman, Jones, and Rupert will be the most valuable experience for Malonga in the 2025-26 season.

Malonga’s rookie season with the Storm proved how quickly she learns, adjusts, and develops. She shot from the end of Noelle Quinn’s bench to being one of the most important reserves on the team within weeks. Playing for another veteran team with plenty of star power will only help her keep that momentum alive.

Malonga is the Storm’s future

Despite having several All-Stars on the roster, the Storm flamed out in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. As a result, the organization decided not to renew Noelle Quinn’s coaching contract. So, the Storm are currently without a head coach and only have four players under contract for next season: Lexie Brown, Dominique Malonga, Jordan Horston, and Nika Mühl.
With an uncertain future, the Storm’s priority should already be obvious: Developing Malonga and putting her in a position to play her best basketball.