{"id":587980,"date":"2026-02-13T21:49:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T21:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/587980\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T21:49:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T21:49:09","slug":"dominique-malonga-on-unrivaled-the-2026-wnba-season-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/587980\/","title":{"rendered":"Dominique Malonga On Unrivaled, The 2026 WNBA Season, & More"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Bustle\u2019s The Pregame, we ask athletes about their pregame rituals. What do they wear for the infamous tunnel walk<\/a>? How do they get in the zone? Do they have any superstitions before a big game? Here, Dominique Malonga<\/a>, a center for the Seattle Storm, shares how she prepares for it all.<\/p>\n

Dominique Malonga is booked, busy, and always ready to excel. After playing professional ball overseas<\/a>, she became the youngest player ever drafted into the WNBA at only 19. <\/strong>As a center for the Seattle Storm<\/a>, she averaged 7.7 points per game<\/a>. Never one to sit still, she then joined Unrivaled<\/a> \u2014 a professional 3-on-3 women\u2019s basketball league \u2014 for a little offseason action.<\/p>\n

On the Breeze BC<\/a>, she plays alongside other big names like Kate Martin<\/a>, Cameron Brink<\/a>, Rickea Jackson<\/a>, Paige Bueckers<\/a>, and Aari McDonald<\/a>. \u201cWe connected really fast, and we play really well together. You can tell that we’re having fun,\u201d the 20-year-old tells Bustle. \u201cIt\u2019s a good position for me to be in because we\u2019re playing against the best in the league. We keep practicing and improving every day together.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Jan. 30, the Breeze played to a sold-out crowd<\/a> of 21,490 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. A few days before, Malonga became the first player to dunk in the 2026 season<\/a>. Now, the team is back in Miami with a midseason 5-5 record<\/a> and working toward the Unrivaled playoffs in March. And there\u2019s even more: She\u2019s doing it all while studying computer engineering through virtual classes.<\/p>\n

Hunter Martin\/Getty Images Sport\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

While her age is often a topic of conversation, Malonga says she doesn\u2019t want it to be a factor on the court. \u201cI\u2019ve been the youngest everywhere [I go] since I started my career, and I am still going to be one of the youngest next season,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be like that for a couple of years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether Malonga excels or makes mistakes in a game, she prefers to be judged by her drive. \u201cI\u2019m practicing the same as everybody. I\u2019m working the same as everybody, so I don\u2019t think [age] should make a difference,\u201d she says. Here, she talks about maintaining a positive mindset, plus how she gets ready for tip-off and tunnel walks.<\/p>\n

How do you get in the right headspace to play?<\/p>\n

Before a game, I\u2019m at the gym doing muscle activations, hip and ankle mobility, getting massaged, and getting taped. Then I listen to music. When it’s game day, I can\u2019t do anything else. I have to stay focused.<\/p>\n

What do you listen to?<\/p>\n

I need calm, chill music \u2014 nothing too hype. Usually, it\u2019s worship music.<\/p>\n

What do you eat for energy?<\/p>\n

My pre-game meal is pasta. I\u2019ll eat around noon, and then right before the game, I\u2019ll have a light snack like an Uncrustable.<\/p>\n

Alika Jenner\/Getty Images Sport\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Do you ever meditate?<\/p>\n

When I\u2019m done getting ready to play, I\u2019ll have a quiet little moment to myself in the locker room. We have some chaplains with The Storm<\/a>, so I\u2019ll talk to them, too. They\u2019re really supportive and their message usually hits for me because it\u2019s related to what I\u2019m going through in real life and real game situations.<\/p>\n

How do you cope when something goes wrong in a game?<\/p>\n

I’m still working on it, but I try to breathe, refocus, and stay in the moment. I try to tell myself that continuously: \u201cStay in the moment. Don\u2019t look behind.\u201d I talk really badly to myself sometimes, so I\u2019m working on shifting that. I\u2019m trying to find the good in every situation so I can bounce back really fast.<\/p>\n

Hunter Martin\/Getty Images Sport\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your skin care routine?<\/p>\n

I put on makeup for the tunnel walk, but not for playing. It’s just cleanser, serum, and sunscreen. If I try to wear makeup during the warmup, it all melts off as soon as I sweat.<\/p>\n

How do you get dressed for the tunnel walk?<\/p>\n

I like fashion in general, so it\u2019s fun to express ourselves through the walk. There can be a lot of pressure to find a good \u2018fit, so I just try to be myself.<\/p>\n

Do you have any pregame traditions with the Seattle Storm?<\/p>\n

We do a breathing exercise with one of our coaches. She did that last year with the Storm, and we\u2019re doing it here with the Breeze, too. It’s just a couple of seconds where we breathe in rhythm together.<\/p>\n

What are you looking forward to in the upcoming WNBA season?<\/p>\n

To play more and maybe have a bigger role. I can\u2019t wait. I really love the Storm organization, and I\u2019m so grateful to wear that jersey again.<\/p>\n

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.<\/p>\n

Get Even More From Bustle \u2014 Sign Up For The Newsletter<\/p>\n

From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person who\u2019s on TikTok, even if you aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n