BERLIN (Germany) - One of the most exciting and talented young guns in the global game, Dominique Malonga is open to flushing down a dunk for France at her first ever FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
Billed as one of the rising stars to watch at the showpiece in Berlin, the towering Seattle Storm center made an even bigger name for herself when she slammed one down in the Qualifying Tournament back in March.
It's natural for me. There is no reason now if I have the right occasion, that I don't do it.
That sent the home fans crazy in Lyon-Villeurbanne and it's something Malonga would love to repeat when she takes to the court in the German capital.
"It was not pre-determined at all [In Lyon], it was really all in the moment," she stated.
"I think everyone was just happy for me. From my teammates firstly on the bench, where I saw everyone was excited for me. And, I then received some messages after."
"I think it just brings a lot of joy and excitement to the game and I am really proud to be able to do that.
"I mean I know I can dunk and I really want to be able to do it whenever I have the occasion. So I think that was the perfect occasion for me and if I have another one then I will try it another time."
But does her first World Cup warrant a repeat?
"Of course," smiled Malonga.
"Now that is something that is in me. It's natural for me. There is no reason now if I have the right occasion, that I don't do it."
Of course, whether a dunk gets thrown down or not is secondary to France landing their first World Cup medal since 1953. Winning silver at Paris 2024 and coming close to taking down USA showed their potential to now step forward and snap a drought lasting more than seven decades.
Importantly, the 20 year old is adamant that while falling agonizingly short, it is their experience in the French capital that will likely fuel a deep World Cup run this time.
"I think this is really important and why we have this much confidence going into the competition - because of what we showed in 2024," she revealed.
"But we also we don't want to get complacent about that as we know there is still a lot of work to do. But I think we are ready and we have worked so hard since then. I think we can be even better.
"There is just a lot of excitement," added Malonga.
"I think we are ready. I just can't wait to step onto the court. We have a great team and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish."
France will play Hungary, Korea and Nigeria in Group C.
FIBA