Did you just get déjà vu? It feels like we just stopped hearing “french young star” and “dunk” in the same sentence. Dominique Malonga, all the way from France, was the hot topic during 2025 WNBA Draft. Now that she’s kicked off her WNBA journey as Storm’s no.2 pick, there’s already another name making waves. Meet Alicia Tournebize, the 17-year-old French prodigy whose viral EuroBasket dunk is the latest proof that France’s talent pipeline is nowhere near slowing down.
Who is Alicia Tournebize?
Alicia Tournebize is the latest name turning heads in the rising wave of French basketball talent. Born on July 21, 2007, the 6’4” center has already made her presence felt on both international and professional courts. Representing France’s U18 national team and playing for Tango Bourges Basket, Tournebize is only 17 but she’s already doing things most players only dream of.
She’s thrown down dunks not just once, but multiple times – at both the club and international level. Her most recent slam has gone viral, sending shockwaves through the basketball world and putting her firmly on the global radar.
Alicia Tournebize’s EuroBasket Dunk Moment
It was the bronze medal game at the U18 EuroBasket between France and Belgium. The game started off tight, with France holding a narrow 18–17 lead after the first quarter. But then the French squad hit the gas. With France up 61–31 and 8:22 left on the clock, Tournebize blitzed a pick-and-roll, jumped the pass, and came away with an easy steal. What happened next was straight out of a highlight reel.
Just two dribbles from half court and she was at the rim, elevating and throwing down a two-handed dunk like it was nothing. Sure, the women’s game has plenty of 6’4” post players, but Tournebize’s bounce and wingspan is commendable. France went on to cruise to a 72–47 win, and Tournebize wasn’t just the dunk queen, she was the star of the night. She finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks on an efficient 8-of-12 shooting. And over the course of the tournament, she led France in scoring, rebounding, and steals.
So no, it’s not just about flashy dunks. Tournebize is the full package. The kind of player that makes you say, “How is she this good at 17?” But then again, when you take a look at her basketball bloodline… it all starts to make sense.
Alicia Tournebize’s Family and Parents
Tournebize has basketball in her DNA as the daughter of five-time French League champion and French Basketball Hall of Famer, Isabelle Fijalkowski. A legend in her own right, Fijalkowski played college basketball at the University of Colorado before being drafted by the Cleveland Rockers in the inaugural WNBA Draft in 1997. She made her WNBA debut on June 21, 1997, against the Houston Comets.
Her WNBA run wrapped up in the 1998 Semi-Finals, but her impact on French basketball endured, cemented by her 2011 Hall of Fame induction. And it’s not just her. Alicia’s aunt, Brigitte Tournebize, also played professionally in France, making the hardwood feel more like home than anywhere else. With that kind of bloodline, there was little doubt Alicia was destined for greatness. It’s almost like she was born with a basketball in hand.
Alicia Tournebize’s Basketball Journey So Far
Alicia Tournebize’s journey began early – at just six years old, she joined the youth system of French club JA Vichy. From there, her path only climbed upward. She later moved to powerhouse Tango Bourges, starting with the U15 squad and steadily rising through the ranks. She was also a part of 2024 FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup team (finished 4th). And if you think this recent dunk was her first viral moment, think again.
Back in April, Tournebize lit up the internet with a smooth, effortless pregame slam that had fans in awe. But she’s been making history long before that. She became the first French woman to dunk in a game when she threw one down for Espoirs de Bourges in an NF2 league matchup. Then in February, she did it again- this time for Tango Bourges Basket’s U18 team.
Then earlier this year, she officially earned a spot on the pro roster under a “training-intern contract” – a huge milestone. Now we know that French women’s basketball has been on a remarkable run over the past 15 years. With silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, bronze in Tokyo, and another silver in London in 2012, France has become a global force. And many of their brightest stars eventually make the leap to the WNBA. So, Tournebize’s progress with Tango Bourges isn’t just impressive, it’s setting the stage for what could be a major future move to the W.
And at this rate, it’s not a question of if Tournebize’s dunks will show up in the WNBA…it’s when.
What’s Next for Alicia Tournebize?
When we talk basketball and France, the first name that usually pops into mind is Victor Wembanyama and for good reason. He’s one of the most exciting young talents and a walking example of basketball talent in France. But the women’s side has been making serious waves too. Just look at Dominique Malonga, Gabby Williams, Iliana Rupert, and Marine Johannès – names that have already made their mark in the WNBA or are well on their way.
And now, the next in line might just be Alicia Tournebize. Given the legacy she carries and what we’ve already seen from her, it’s not far-fetched at all. While Tournebize hasn’t officially announced her plans just yet, the possibility of her entering the WNBA soon feels very real. The league would be more than excited. Especially when you consider what she brings to the table: dunks- something still incredibly rare in women’s basketball. To put that in perspective, there have only been 37 dunks in WNBA history, and 27 of those belong to Brittney Griner alone.
So, someone like Tournebize might be the evolution we’ve all been waiting for. Keep an eye out, because that draft moment could be coming sooner than we think.
The post Who Is Alicia Tournebize? Meet the 17-Year-Old French Prodigy Who Stunned with a Dunk at EuroBasket appeared first on EssentiallySports.