WNBA Star Dominique Malonga, 20, Plans Tech Career After Ball

At 20 years old, Dominique Malonga is already the youngest player in WNBA history to score 500 career points, earn 10 double doubles, and drop more than 30 points in a single game. But the Seattle Storm center isn't letting records define her future.

During WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago, Malonga revealed she's studying computer science with dreams of building an app someday. She plans to give basketball her all for the next 10 to 15 years, then pivot into tech completely.

"I don't see myself staying in the sport professionally after retiring," she told Women's Health on their Huddle on the Road podcast. The approach shows a refreshing honesty about athlete careers and life beyond the court.

Despite breaking milestone after milestone, Malonga insists she isn't chasing records at all. Her sole focus right now is helping Seattle win championships, viewing the statistical achievements as happy byproducts of getting an early opportunity to leave her mark on the league.

Off the court, she's remarkably multifaceted. Malonga decompresses by playing piano, which recently helped her rehab a wrist injury. She's obsessed with Korean dramas and dreams of recording a duet with a fellow player who raps.

She also speaks passionately about representing her cultural backgrounds from Cameroon, France, and Congo. For Malonga, being relatable to fans matters just as much as winning games.

Why This Inspires

Malonga represents a new generation of athletes who refuse to be one-dimensional. She views All-Star Weekend's media appearances not as obligations but as opportunities to build her brand and future. She strategically picked her crocodile green jacket for the Orange Carpet weeks in advance, understanding that visibility matters.

Her favorite All-Star moments weren't even on the court where she dunked with an assist from Angel Reese. They were meeting fans of all ages and feeling the explosive growth around women's basketball. Those interactions, she says, remind players why they're doing this in the first place.

By planning for life after basketball while still breaking records, Malonga is showing young athletes they can be elite competitors and ambitious dreamers simultaneously. Her message is clear: you can be the best at what you do today while building something completely different for tomorrow.

At just 20, she's already mastered the balance between living in the moment and planning for the future.