Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter identify WNBA Draft ‘steal’ with huge ceiling

Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter both named French phenom Dominique Malonga as the “steal” of the 2025 WNBA Draft. Ogwumike and Carter both appeared on ESPN’s WNBA Countdown show, taking place behind the orange carpet where stars including Paige Bueckers, Hailey Van Lith and Aneesah Morrow turned heads as they arrived in New York. While Paige Bueckers arrived knowing she is set to be picked No.

1 overall by the Dallas Wings , everyone else faced more uncertainty. As the top stars in women’s college basketball waited to hear their name called, one name who has not yet played in the States was tipped for stardom. French center Dominique Malunga was named by both Ogwumike and Carter as their one to watch, with the 19-year-old Olympic silver medalist compared to fellow French player Victor Wembanyama and backed to be a “matchup nightmare” at the next level.



Asked who would be the steal of the draft, Ogwumike and Carter simultaneously replied on a court of three: “Dominique Malunga”. Ogwumike explained: “Because people aren’t necessarily familiar with her game..

.why don’t you take it, Draya? Carter continued: “I just think her ceiling is so high. She’s already 6’6, she’s so mobile, but think about now, her training as a professional.

Her having an off-season as a professional. “Her putting on weight, her gaining strength and explosiveness. Her ceiling is so high and she is a matchup nightmare.

“People call her the woman version of Victor Wembanyama, because what is Wemby? He’s a matchup nightmare. She has the opportunity to be the same exact thing in the W.” Ogwumike added: “And I said this earlier, Jonquel Jones is another comp.

Someone that will take time at 19 years old, Most improved, sixth woman of the year, all-star, maybe MVP. That’s the trajectory.” Speaking ahead of the WNBA Draft, Malonga insisted she had not given up hope of being the No.

1 overall pick. She's projected by many to be picked No.2 by the Seattle Storm.

“I know that people say the first pick is locked for Paige Bueckers,” Malonga told The Athletic. “But I have hope.” Discussing comparisons to Wembanyama, she said: "It’s an honor to be compared to him.

But I believe that every time people talk to me about that, I really highlight the fact that we are two separate people. "Maybe we can be similar physically. We really have two different games.

He’s amazing at what he does, and I really want to be known as Dominique. I play as Dominique.".