Dominique Malonga received her FIBA clearance letter on April 22, according to ESPN, resolving months of eligibility uncertainty and confirming she will be available for the Seattle Storm when their season opens on May 8. The clearance from the International Basketball Federation came after a prolonged contract dispute with Turkish club Fenerbahçe had cast doubt over whether she would be ready in time.
Malonga was selected No. 2 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, one of the highest-profile picks in recent memory for the Storm. Getting her onto the court before the season begins represents a significant development for a Seattle team already navigating injury and roster complications heading into the year.
What the Fenerbahçe dispute involved
The eligibility questions surrounding Malonga stemmed from a contract she signed with Fenerbahçe in the summer of 2025. The agreement was originally structured to allow her to participate in the WNBA during the overseas offseason, a standard arrangement for players competing in both leagues. Complications arose when Fenerbahçe claimed she had unilaterally terminated the contract, which introduced legal uncertainty around her standing.
Players competing in the WNBA while under contract abroad require a clearance letter from FIBA, a process that involves coordination between the federation, the WNBA, and the player’s overseas club to confirm eligibility based on current contract status and previous affiliations. With Fenerbahçe’s season concluding on April 19 following a EuroLeague title run, the path cleared for Malonga’s release to move forward.
A wrist injury and a strong Unrivaled season in between
Malonga’s year between WNBA seasons was not straightforward. She dealt with a wrist injury that kept her out for six weeks, a setback that added physical uncertainty to an already complicated situation off the court.
When healthy, she played a full season in the Unrivaled league in Miami, where she averaged 16.4 points per game for Breeze BC. Because Unrivaled operates outside FIBA’s jurisdiction, she did not need a clearance letter to compete there. The performance was a strong indicator that her game remained sharp despite the injury and the surrounding noise.
In her WNBA rookie season, Malonga averaged 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Those numbers came in a limited role. The expectation heading into this season is that her contribution will expand considerably.
Why Malonga’s availability matters more this year
The Storm are heading into the 2025 season with meaningful absences at key positions. Ezi Magbegor is sidelined for several weeks, and rookie Awa Fam is arriving late due to overseas commitments. Those gaps create immediate minutes and responsibility that Malonga is now positioned to absorb.
Her combination of size, athleticism, and scoring ability made her a top-two pick for a reason. A full offseason of preparation, a productive Unrivaled campaign, and a healthy clearance from FIBA put her in a stronger position entering this season than she was in during her rookie year, when eligibility questions hung over her arrival for much of the early stretch.
What to watch when Seattle opens on May 8
The Storm’s season opener on May 8 will be an early indicator of how quickly Malonga can step into a larger role. With the frontcourt thinner than it was last season, LaFleur’s coaching staff will likely lean on her sooner rather than waiting for a gradual ramp-up. The Fenerbahçe situation is behind her. The injury is resolved. The clearance is in hand.
For a player whose path to this point involved more complications than most No. 2 picks encounter before their second season, getting onto the court on time is itself a meaningful outcome.
