This WNBA offseason is turning out to be the busiest of all. For one, the talks around the CBA negotiations have been buzzing. With the WNBA and the WNBPA agreeing on a 30-day deadline extension, the tensions are at an all-time high.
However, on the flip side, there are also some pretty interesting things going on. With the franchises sorting out their new mentors, it is now time for them to delve into free agency. Then, there is the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft that a lot of franchises will target to add quality to their side.
But at the moment, it is the Unrivaled that has announced its lineup for the second season. And while there are a lot of exciting prospects to watch out for, the presence of Dominique Malonga has added a lot of intrigue.
Dominique Malonga To Suit Up In Unrivaled Despite Legal Turmoil
The Seattle Storm had quite a decent season. And most importantly, they must be utterly happy with their rookie acquisition, Malonga. Showing some impeccable hooping skills, the 19-year-old established herself as one of the mainstays of the team.
Malonga also became the first teenager to drop a playoff double-double. And now, she is ready to rock the 3-on-3 world of Unrivaled. But her journey was not a pleasant one.
NEWS: Dominique Malonga is joining Unrivaled for the 2026 season.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) October 30, 2025
Sources told ESPN that Malonga didn’t need a letter of clearance from FIBA to play in the 3-on-3 league after terminating her contract with a Turkish club https://t.co/IK4VquYlcX
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Playing for the Turkish club Fenerbahce, Malonga reportedly violated their contract while joining the WNBA. As per the rules, every player has to obtain a ‘letter of clearance’ from the league they are listed with in order to enter a league abroad.
While Malonga allegedly did not abide by the same, the legal rift between the two sides has widened. However, for now, she plans to suit up in Unrivaled, since the game’s 3-on-3 format doesn’t require a letter of recommendation. Meanwhile, looking at her performance, Storm’s former head coach, Noelle Quinn, heaped praises on the youngster.
Noelle Quinn Expressed Happiness Following Dominique Malonga’s Impressive Rookie Run
Back in early August, when the Storm met with the Las Vegas Aces, it was an intense affair. With both teams looking for victory, the stakes were at an all-time high. As the game progressed, Storm fans enjoyed some exceptional play from the 6-foot-6 rookie star. Going shoulder to shoulder against the likes of A’ja Wilson, Malonga dropped a whopping 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Looking at such a strong showing, the then-head coach Quinn stated, “It was a process and, you know, she understood that process. We did as a group as well. Learning the league, learning how she can find ways to play well, play within ourselves, within our system and what we want to do defensively. Defending multiple positions from posts to guards. That just takes some time and I think she’s put the work in on court film sessions to really understand what we need from her and she’s grown up right before our eyes and going to continue to get better.”
Thus, as of now, Malonga can breathe easily. However, she must ensure the legal dispute with Fenerbahce gets resolved before next season begins.