Dominique Malonga is already making waves in the WNBA, but the Seattle Storm rookie has her sights set on more than just basketball glory. Drafted as the second overall pick in the first round, the 6-foot-6 center is also pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science at Southern New Hampshire University—proof that her game plan extends far beyond the court.
Born in Cameroon and raised in France, Malonga's basketball journey has been nothing short of remarkable. She previously played with ASVEL Féminin in the Ligue Féminine de Basketball and represented the French national team at just 16 years old. Since joining the WNBA, she's already made history as the youngest player to record a double-double and reach 100 career points, not to mention her impressive ability to dunk—a skill that sets her apart in the league. Her athletic future looks incredibly bright, but Malonga is investing just as much energy into her education.
Balancing a professional sports career with academics is no small feat, but Malonga is embracing the challenge. She's enrolled in an online program that will take five to six years to complete, with weekly modules starting on Wednesdays and assignments due by Sunday. Recently, she's been diving into topics like digital communities and navigating online spaces. "We have to read a lot of articles and use the resources and then write about that," she explained. "That's a lot. I'm like, 'OK, where's the maths?' I want to calculate something."
Her passion for tech isn't new—Malonga excelled in math and science during her school years, and she sees a career in technology as both timely and essential. "We don't even understand how it's going to be in the next five or 10 years," she shared. "I want to be able to navigate that as I am leaving my print in basketball, and also leave my print in the world tomorrow."
Beyond her degree, Malonga has her eyes on an even bigger goal: launching her own app. While she's still brainstorming the concept—whether it will be sports-related or something entirely different—her drive to innovate is clear. For now, she's focused on crossing the finish line of her program, which she's only been in for six weeks. And she credits her basketball career with giving her the discipline and resilience to succeed in the classroom. For fans and aspiring athletes alike, Malonga is proof that you can dominate on the court while building a future off it.