Skylar Diggins has spent more than a decade competing against the WNBA’s best, so her praise for Dominique Malonga carries weight. The Seattle Storm veteran guard says the 19-year-old rookie center has only begun to show what she’s capable of.
“She knows her strengths, and what I see is her being more physical in the paint, taking her time, understanding that there’s nothing they can do with her when she decides,” Diggins said. “She’s literally just scratching the surface. I tell her all the time, she’s going to be a star for the next 20 years in this league. She doesn’t have a ceiling.”
Malonga continues to impress off the bench, averaging 12.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 21.4 minutes over her past 16 appearances. The No. 2 overall pick has missed only one game this season, but could be sidelined again, which would likely push Ezi Magbegor into heavier minutes and open a rotation spot for Mackenzie Holmes.
For Diggins, Malonga’s presence has been essential even while playing behind established frontcourt stars Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike.
“She’s playing behind two All-Stars, and she’s an All-Star in her own right in her role for us,” Diggins said. “We need what she brings to the table.”
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The rookie said her growth has come through steady work and trust from the Storm staff.
“Even in practice, I’m working hard every day, spending hours in the weight room, getting used to the pace and physicality of this league,” Malonga told RG. “It’s a long process, but the work is paying off.”
Seattle (21-19) returns home Saturday against the Chicago Sky after closing a five-game road swing with a 93-79 comeback win over league-leading Minnesota. Diggins scored 23 points in that game and said the victory was a confidence-builder as the Storm pushes for the playoffs. They currently hold seventh place with four games to play, sitting a half-game ahead of Golden State.
“I think we match up well with everybody,” Diggins told reporters. “I think we are equipped versus any team. I think we are as talented as any team.”
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Chicago (9-29), led by second-year forward Angel Reese, has dropped three straight and 16 of its last 18. Reese is averaging 14.4 points and 12.6 rebounds and had 15 points and 20 boards in a loss to Phoenix on Thursday.
Seattle has won four of its last five, with Ogwumike pacing the team at 18.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. The Storm have already beaten Chicago twice this season, scoring in the 90s both times, including a 94-88 win on Aug. 19.
“As the season goes on, she continues to show why she’s so special,” Diggins said of Malonga.
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