Seattle Storm Evaluate Supersized Lineup Amid Frustrating WNBA Season

Head coach Sonia Raman is using the Seattle Storm's final regular-season games in August 2026 to evaluate a frontcourt trio featuring Dominique Malonga, Ezi Magbegor, and Awa Fam following a 92-70 loss to the Dallas Wings on Sunday.

Seattle dropped to 7-31 on the season after the lopsided defeat, leaving the franchise three losses shy of tying the WNBA record for most defeats in a single season.

In just their second game sharing the floor together, the three post players earned their first start as a group but struggled offensively, combining for 14 points on 4-for-19 shooting from the field.

The 20-year-old center Dominique Malonga scored 12 points to lead the frontcourt, but foul trouble restricted her to 20 minutes of action alongside five turnovers.

Malonga, who was drafted second overall in 2025 and earned her first All-Star selection this year while averaging 16.9 points and 7.3 rebounds, reflected on her rapid professional growth.

"Choose your own path and believe in what you think you're capable of," said Malonga, Center, Seattle Storm. "I know that's what got me here today."

Malonga recalled the emotional phone call from WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert confirming her All-Star selection after recovering from an earlier season concussion.

"It was amazing actually," said Malonga, Center, Seattle Storm. "I was really proud. It was a really emotional moment for me. I called my parents right away because I was really not expecting that at all."

Malonga credited her increased playing time during her sophomore campaign for allowing her to showcase her developed skillset on the floor.

"I don't think I changed much in my preparation of how I work," said Malonga, Center, Seattle Storm. "I always worked hard and I've always been ready for my moment, and I feel like this year was just my moment. I just have way more minutes, a different role, but I don't think that I change anything in terms of how I get prepared."

Off the court, the French international player remains focused on long-term goals beyond professional sports, including pursuing an academic degree in computer engineering.

"Even before having pro basketball dreams, I had a degree dream," said Malonga, Center, Seattle Storm. "I wanted to go to school. I wanted to go to a higher level school. So that's just something that was like, even if I chose a dream, I don't want to get away from the other one."

Malonga expressed that her academic background provides a clear trajectory once her athletic career concludes.

"I know that I'm giving my all to basketball right now, and I feel like when I'm done, I want to do something else. I want to have a completely different life in another area," said Malonga, Center, Seattle Storm.

Her personal background includes growing up in France after being born in Cameroon, a journey that shaped her perspective as she adapted to living in Seattle.

"It just reminds me a lot of home," said Malonga, Center, Seattle Storm. "I feel like that's the most European thing you could do for an American city. You get everything, get the water, you get the mountains, you can bike, you can walk—there's a lot of hills though."

Reflecting on her unexpected rise in professional basketball, she emphasized how continuous support helped overcome early self-doubt.

"My journey was just so different, though," said Malonga, Center, Seattle Storm. "I was born in Africa, moved to France. I wasn't really into basketball, and then I was really into basketball. I didn't really believe in myself at first, and people talked to me and encouraged me, and now after I figured out that I could be something."

Alongside Malonga, 27-year-old forward Ezi Magbegor logged two points in 25 minutes against Dallas, while 20-year-old rookie Awa Fam was held scoreless on five shot attempts over her 25 minutes.

Despite the offensive struggles against Dallas, the supersized lineup previously demonstrated high potential during an 11-minute second-half stretch against Chicago, outscoring the Sky 34-18.

Opposing players noted the defensive challenge presented by Seattle shifting the 6-foot-4 Fam to the small forward position alongside two post defenders.

"I think they had some really good defensive possessions there, where they were shot-blocking, and they're making stuff tough at the rim, and then they were just utilizing that to get out in transition and score, and they all kind of came to life," said Rachel Banham, Guard, Chicago Sky. "Having Fam at the three is a tough matchup for any team. So we had to make an adjustment there in the second half, but that was one of the bigger reasons why they really went on that run."

Magbegor, who signed a three-year extension worth $3,750,000, noted that the lineup's sheer height compresses available space for opposing offenses.

"We're so tall, and I think it shrinks the floor up for the offense as well," said Ezi Magbegor, Forward, Seattle Storm. "I think when we just realize how long and tall we are, and even the guards … there isn't as much space that you have to cover necessarily. It's something that's really tough to play against."

Fam highlighted the operational chemistry she shares with her fellow frontcourt partners during game situations.

"They are two people that are gonna read the situation — they have high IQ. It's just easy playing with Ezi and Dom," said Awa Fam, Center, Seattle Storm.

Addressing the execution issues against Dallas, Raman identified proper floor spacing as the critical area needing adjustment for the trio to succeed.

"It's a work in progress," said Sonia Raman, Head Coach, Seattle Storm.

Raman explained that positioning flaws limited the effectiveness of their interior passing against the Wings.

"Our spacing could have been a little bit better as we were looking to get the ball inside to Ezi," said Sonia Raman, Head Coach, Seattle Storm. "We've got to be able to space the floor so she has room (for) driving lanes and all of that. I just didn't feel like we had as much space."

Despite the team's late-season slump, Raman rejected the notion that the roster has lost motivation down the stretch.

"Sometimes shots don't fall, but our players are getting in the gym shooting extra," said Sonia Raman, Head Coach, Seattle Storm. "If they weren't motivated, they wouldn't be doing that. They're pretty dedicated. They're pretty hungry."

She stressed that execution issues, rather than effort, accounted for recent poor shooting performances.

"They haven't been standings watching this season. They've been out there battling all year long. Shots haven't fallen lately and you can attribute that to a few different things," said Sonia Raman, Head Coach, Seattle Storm.

Raman pointed to the absence of starting guard Natisha Hiedeman, who averages 15.4 points and a team-high 4.8 assists, as a major structural hurdle during her shoulder injury absence.