Dominique Malonga Is a WNBA All-Star — And the Seattle Storm Are Just Getting Started
- BRM Staff
- 9 minutes ago
- 4 min read
It's official. Dominique Malonga is headed to Chicago as a WNBA All-Star — and Storm faithful have been waiting for this moment.
On the latest episode of Tempestade Talk, Erica and Roberta broke down what Malonga's All-Star selection means, why it was never really in doubt, what to expect from her at All-Star Weekend, and whether the Seattle Storm can hand the Atlanta Dream their sixth consecutive loss.
Dominique Malonga's All-Star Selection: The Third Youngest in WNBA History
Malonga made history with her All-Star nod, becoming the third youngest player ever selected to a WNBA All-Star Game.
The selection caps a career-defining stretch for the young center, who has elevated every dimension of her game in 2026 — paint dominance, post presence, and a confidence that is unmistakably new.
Under head coach Sonia Raman, Dom has flourished in a system that puts the ball in her hands, keeps her in the paint, and trusts her to speak for the team — including post-game.
She's not just an All-Star. She's becoming a leader.
Will Dom Dunk at All-Star? (She Will.)
The conversation on Tempestade Talk quickly turned to what Storm faithful really want to see: Dominique Malonga throwing one down at All-Star Weekend in Chicago.
Given the All-Star Game's entertainment-first format, the hosts agreed it's not a matter of if — it's a matter of how many. Malonga's athleticism, her length, and the open-floor nature of the All-Star game all but guarantee the moment fans have been waiting for.
Dom dunking on the WNBA's biggest showcase stage would be a watershed moment — for her, for the Storm, and for the league.
Awa Fam Is Right Behind Her
Malonga's All-Star selection opened the door to a broader conversation about where Awa Fam fits in Seattle's rising rookie class.
The Tempestade Talk crew made clear: Fam's time is coming. Her scoring, her physicality, and what Erica described as genuine "sandpaper" — edge, competitiveness, presence — make her an All-Star caliber player in the making.
The fact that Seattle holds two of the WNBA's brightest young stars is not lost on anyone paying attention.
Cheryl Reeve Coaching All-Star — A Well-Earned Honor
Another note worth celebrating: Cheryl Reeve has been named a coach representative for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game.
The Tempestade Talk crew didn't skip past it. Reeve is the winningest coach in WNBA history and, by any honest measure, the greatest to do it.
Her presence at All-Star is deserved — and the fact that she'll potentially be coaching alongside Malonga makes it all the more compelling to watch.
Storm vs. Atlanta Dream: Can Seattle Hand Them Loss #6?
The celebratory mood on Tempestade Talk was balanced by a very real scouting session. The Atlanta Dream were rolling into their next game on a five-game losing streak — one of which was handed to them by the Storm earlier this season (105-90 on June 27th).
But Angel Reese had something to say about it. Going on the record, Reese made clear Atlanta was hungry — and that she felt for whatever team had to face them next. That team is Seattle.
The hosts broke down the keys to the game:
Dom vs. Atlanta's physicality — Malonga has to impose herself early in the paint, not defer.
Awa Fam's value on the break — her speed and decisiveness create easy buckets if Seattle pushes pace.
Sonia's rotations — the Jade Melbourne and Ezi Magbegor minutes matter. Both play well together from Storm and Australian national team experience, and Raman has shown she knows exactly when to deploy them.
The overall edge?
Erica and Roberta leaned Atlanta on paper — but noted that this Storm team has shown an ability to punch above its weight when the energy is right.
Gotta Give It to Sonia
One recurring theme across the episode: credit where it's due for head coach Sonia Raman.
The Dom situation from last season — limited minutes under the prior regime despite being a top draft pick — looks more inexplicable by the game.
Raman inherited that mess, cleaned it up, and has built something cohesive around Malonga, Fam, Natisha Hiedeman, and Flau'jae Johnson.
The chemistry is real. The wins are real. And the All-Star hardware is real.
Storm faithful know what Sonia is building. The rest of the league is starting to catch up.
Watch or Listen to the Full Episode
Catch the full breakdown — including the Dom-Kevin Durant practice clip reaction, live chat takes, and the complete Storm vs. Dream game preview — on the latest episode of Tempestade Talk, Seattle's home for unfiltered Storm coverage.
🎙️ Tempestade Talk is part of the Black Rosie Media network — women's sports coverage built by and for fans who take it seriously.
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