France's Dominique Malonga among
players to watch during WNBA draft after Paige Bueckers goes No. 1
[April 10, 2025]
By DOUG FEINBERG
NEW YORK (AP) — Paige Bueckers is clearly the best-known player in
Monday's WNBA draft, but Dominique Malonga of France is among the
most interesting.
Curiosity around the 6-foot-6 forward seems to be growing.
“She is a unbelievably intriguing player because she has size,
athleticism and range,” former Washington Mystics general manager
Mike Thibault said. “She’s got a wide range of skills, which makes
her pretty intriguing.”
There’s not much doubt Bueckers is going to have an immediate impact
in Dallas on and off the court as the team's first pick, giving the
Wings one of the most efficient players coming out of college in
quite some time.
Whether other players in the draft can offer quick help to teams
will be seen over the next few months. A lot of that depends on
which teams draft which players and how that fit evolves.
It certainly applies to Malonga, who played for France's national
team at last year's Paris Olympics.
Still only 19, she averaged 15.0 points and 10.3 rebounds this
season while playing professional basketball for Lyon.
“If she were in the U.S.,” Thibault said, “she would be a college
sophomore basically with all that potential in front of her.”
ESPN analyst Debbie Antonelli believes players in this draft have a
chance to be successful, though they don't bring the name
recognition or resumes the players in last year's draft had.
“I think the timing for this class with expansion and the increased
value in franchises and in the growth of the game will bring another
level of incredible play from these players that have already been
on a stage similar,” Antonelli said.
Five teams in the league don't even have first round picks: New
York, Indiana, Phoenix and Atlanta all traded away their picks. Las
Vegas forfeited its pick following an investigation by the league in
2023 that found the franchise violated league rules regarding
impermissible player benefits and workplace policies.
Washington has three picks in the first round and Connecticut has
two. Both teams are rebuilding and players could find a lot of
available minutes there. There's also the expansion Golden State
franchise that should have a lot of open spots, too.
Here are some players to keep an eye on that could dictate how the
draft unfolds once Dallas makes Bueckers the expected No. 1 player
selected:
French connection
Malonga isn't the only player in the draft who has honed her skills
in France. Juste Jocyte, Malonga's Lyon teammate in the French
basketball league, is also expected to be taken in the first round.
[to top of second column] |
LSU forward Aneesah Morrow (24) goes to the basket as UCLA center
Lauren Betts defends during the second half in the Elite Eight of
the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 30, 2025, in
Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
If Seattle takes her second, she'll be paired with
an already strong frontcourt alongside Ezi Magbegor and Nneka
Ogwumike, which could give the Storm a formidable front line.
Jocyte is a versatile player who can play any of the guard positions
and is really effective in the pick and roll. The Lithuanian, who is
also 19 years old, scored 22 points against Belgium in EuroBasket
qualifying a few months ago. She has a toughness about her and is
fundamentally sound.
“She's left-handed and knows how to play with or without the ball in
her hands,” Thibault said. “Not a true point guard, but can handle
the ball. She's a smart player who knows how to use screens.”
Morrow's time is today
Aneesah Morrow has a nose for the ball with a desire to go get it.
She is just 6-1, but led the nation in double-doubles, averaging
18.7 points and 13.5 rebounds a game with LSU to finish second
all-time behind Courtney Paris in that category. She is able to grab
boards over much taller opponents and just has a knack for
rebounding. She shot 49% from the field, but most of her shots came
from close to the basket. She'll need to increase her range.
Scorers who are fantastic facilitators
Georgia Amoore and Hailey Van Lith are combo guards who can score
and also distribute to teammates.
Amoore averaged 19.6 points and 6.9 assists at Kentucky this season
after transferring from Virginia Tech. At 5-6, she might have a more
difficult time getting her shot off then she did in college.
Van Lith benefitted from playing in the Olympics and winning a
bronze medal with the USA Basketball 3-on-3 team last year. She
averaged 17.7 points and 5.4 assists this past season to help TCU
reach the Elite Eight for the first time in school history.
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