Dominique Malonga makes history with first dunk for France National women’s team in dominating win over Philippines

Dominique Malonga has etched her name in French basketball history. The phenomenal center achieved her first dunk in an official match wearing the blue jersey of France’s senior women’s national team during the first half of their encounter against the Philippines in Villeurbanne.

A solo masterpiece that electrified the Astroballe

During one of these fast breaks, after stealing the ball, Malonga unleashed her power. The dunk was constructed entirely on her own, in a 1-on-0 situation, causing the Astroballe crowd to rise to their feet along with her teammates on the bench.

When fans see the 6’5″ center starting a fast break, they now expect a dunk. She has already done it wearing Asvel‘s jersey, and several times more recently in the American Unrivaled league, where each of her dunks receives massive media coverage. She is becoming known worldwide for this ability.

However, with the France national team, she had previously limited herself to dunks during training sessions. It had never happened before in an official match until now.

The Yaoundé, Cameroon native makes history by becoming the first player to dunk in the long history of France’s National women’s team. In youth categories, she had already been preceded by Alicia Tournebize, who accomplished the feat last summer at the U18 EuroBasket.

This milestone represents more than just an athletic achievement — it symbolizes the evolution and growing athleticism in women’s basketball, with Malonga leading the charge as a global ambassador for the sport’s dynamic future.

The historic moment came amid a dominant first-half performance in which Malonga scored 15 points in just eight minutes. France was overwhelming an opponent clearly inferior in both size and talent, generating numerous fast-break opportunities throughout the opening period.

ET BOUUUUM 💥
Le gros dunk de Dominique Malonga qui écrase tout dans le cercle 💪

Son premier avec l'équipe de France 🤩🇫🇷#FRAPHI pic.twitter.com/VuQb7Cp3R8

— NBAextra (@NBAextra) March 11, 2026

A dominant start for France

It was what you would call a perfect start. Competing in the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Tournament (TQT) in Villeurbanne, on home soil, the French national team opened a demanding stretch of games with a commanding victory. The Philippines became the first victim of a French squad loaded with talent, featuring several stars from the WNBA and EuroLeague Women.

France showed no mercy against an Asian team that struggled to match their level, especially physically. The size difference was striking: the Philippines had only one player taller than 5’7″, compared to eleven on the French roster. France’s point guards — except Romane Bernies — were even taller than many of the opposing forwards and centers, an obvious disadvantage in basketball.

Beyond the physical mismatch, there was simply a clear gap in quality between the players competing in the Philippine domestic league and those starring in Europe’s top clubs and the WNBA. The difference was visible from the opening minutes. After just five minutes, France had already opened a double-digit lead (17-4), and by halftime the margin had nearly reached thirty points (53-26).

France dominates inside

France’s wings and interior players found the most success offensively. Alexia Chery (16 points), Janelle Salaün (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Migna Touré (14 points) repeatedly attacked the paint and controlled the interior.

They were expertly set up by the French guards. Leïla Lacan finished with 7 points and 9 assists, while Romane Bernies and Pauline Astier combined for 14 assists without scoring, orchestrating the offense and consistently creating easy opportunities for their teammates inside.