If the WNBA world wasn’t already buzzing about Leïla Lacan Malonga, it definitely is now — and all it took was one viral video.

A jaw-dropping clip of the French-born, 6’3″ forward throwing down a one-handed dunk during a pre-draft workout has taken over social media, and fans are going wild. The footage is raw, explosive, and unlike anything we’ve seen from a draft prospect in years.

Now the conversation is changing fast:

“Is Malonga the most underrated — or flat-out best — prospect in the entire draft class?”

Let’s break down why this dunk has the internet buzzing and scouts suddenly rethinking their boards.

 The Dunk That Broke the Internet

In the now-viral clip, Malonga catches the ball off a bounce, takes two hard steps, and rises up with power and fluidity, slamming it down with authority. There’s no shaky rim graze. No hesitation. This was a clean, confident flush — the kind rarely seen from women’s basketball prospects at any level.

Within minutes, the video spread like wildfire across X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. WNBA players, analysts, and fans alike chimed in:

“She’s not just athletic — she’s different.”
“That’s a pro body with pro instincts.”
“Move over, highlight reels — Malonga just dropped the moment of the draft.”

🇫🇷 Who Is Leïla Lacan Malonga?

If you haven’t heard much about Malonga yet, that’s about to change. Hailing from France, Malonga has been rising through Europe’s professional ranks and national team programs for the past few years.

She’s long, strong, agile, and — now we know — explosive.

Height: 6’3” with a long wingspan

Position: Forward/Center hybrid

Style: Versatile defender, rim-runner, and now? Dunker.

Resume: Dominated FIBA youth tournaments, MVP honors in Euro U18s, and played professionally in France’s top league.

And at just 19 years old, she’s only scratching the surface of her potential.

 The Draft Stock is Soaring

Before the viral moment, Malonga was considered a mid-to-late first-round pick — a high-upside international project with elite athletic tools but limited U.S. exposure.

Now? Teams are scrambling for private workouts. Scouts are digging through tape. And some executives are reportedly re-ranking her inside the Top 5 of the 2025 WNBA Draft board.

“That kind of bounce doesn’t come around often,” one scout said.
“If she can finish at the rim like that in traffic, we’re looking at a future All-Star.”

 More Than Just a Dunk

While the dunk is what put her on the map, what’s impressing insiders the most is how comfortable she looked doing it.

This wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t staged. It looked natural — like Malonga has much more in her bag.

Pair that with her high-level defense, rebounding instincts, and European experience, and you’re looking at a potential game-changer in a league where size, speed, and skill are more important than ever.

 What This Means for the League

With the WNBA rapidly growing in popularity — and physicality — players like Malonga represent the next evolution of the game. She’s part of a new wave of international talent bringing athleticism and versatility that can match anyone in the NCAA pipeline.

If she lands with a team that knows how to develop raw power into polished skill (hello, Las Vegas Aces or Connecticut Sun?), she could become a problem… quickly.

 Final Take

Every draft has that moment — the one where a sleeper turns into a star before the commissioner even calls her name. This year, that moment belongs to Leïla Malonga.

And all it took was one viral dunk to wake up the entire WNBA.

The question now isn’t whether she belongs.

It’s:

“How high is her ceiling — and who’s going to cash in before everyone else figures it out?”

Buckle up. Malonga might just be the future.

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