Image Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Who Are Dominique Malonga’s Parents? A Look at the Parents of the Number Two Overall Pick at the WNBA Draft

Dominique Malonga comes from a lineage of sports and academic excellence.

Image Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Dominique Malonga was drafted in the first round with the second overall pick by the Seattle Storm at the 2025 WNBA draft. Malonga had emerged as one of the most popular young athletes in the European basketball sphere. The French forward-center played for the LDLC ASVEL Feminin in the LFB League. Apart from that, she has also played for the French women’s basketball team since 2021 and has represented her nation in several championships.

Malonga debuted for France at the 2021 FIBA U16 Women’s European Challengers and helped her team qualify for the 2022 FIBA Under-17 Women’s Basketball World Cup. She was a part of the team that won bronze during the tournament. At the age of 18, Malonga was picked for the French Olympic team for Paris 2024. She was the youngest member on the team and averaged 2.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks for the side that finished second on the podium.

The 19-year-old, who was hailed as the female Victor Wembabnyama by ASVEL Feminin President Tony Parker, began her journey in the league in the 2021-22 season. She finished her rookie season averaging six points and five rebounds in seven games. She had to miss six weeks of action due to an injury in the 2022-23 season.

After being loaned to Tarbes Gespe Bigorre, Malonga returned to ASVEL for the 2024-25 season. In one of the games of the 2024-25 EuroCup Women, she scripted history by becoming the first Frenchwoman to dunk in an official game. The Yaounde-born was projected to be one of the top picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft and ended up going number two overall just behind Paige Bueckers. Malonga is expected to replicate Wembanyama’s heroics in her debut season.

Also Read: Dubbed the Female Wembanyama, Dominique Malonga Has Her Sights Set on the WNBA

The journey of Malonga’s successful career started at home, considering she comes from a lineage of academic and sports excellence. Let’s see how her family background helped in shaping her career.

Who Are Dominique Malonga’s Parents?

Malonga was born on November 16, 2005, in Yaounde, Cameroon to Agathe N’Nindjem-Yolemp and Thalance Malonga.

Who is Dominique Malonga’s Mother?

Dominique Malonga’s mother goes by the name of Agathe N’Nindjem-Yolemp. She is a former Cameroonian basketball player and last played as a center for the Basket Catalan Perpignan Méditerranée in the French NF3. She was also a part of the Cameroon national team. N’Nindjem-Yolemp used her first-hand experience in shaping Dominique Malonga’s career.

Who Is Dominique Malonga’s Father?

Thalance Malonga is the father of Dominique Malonga. He was once a part of the Republic of Congo’s national basketball team. However, he later switched to medicine and now serves as a doctor. Thalance is also an advisor to the President of the Republic of Congo.

What Nationality Are Dominique Malonga’s Parents?

Dominique Malonga’s mother, Agathe N’Nindjem-Yolempm, is Cameroonian, while her father, Thalance Malonga, is French.

Also Read: Dominique Malonga WNBA Draft Projection- Where Will Dominique Malonga Go?

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Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.