This article is in partnership with WNBL.
Nyadiew Puoch is one to watch in the basketball scene, not only in this current 2025/25 WNBL season, but very much beyond. The WNBA draftee and Opals squad member is currently a UC Caps WNBL player, but it’s not just her talent that makes her shine on the court. Her powerful connection with the sport is shared by those who inspire her most – her family.
She has previously spoken about the strong influence of her mother, Nyakong, a single mother of seven children (all of whom are passionately involved in basketball, which we’ll get to later in this article).
“My mum is incredible, such an amazing lady,” Nyadiew told Basketball Australia last year. “She works hard all the time providing for the family, has sacrificed so much for us and everything us kids do is for her and to make her proud.
“The biggest thing she’s taught me is about being independent and a strong person, confident to stand up when things aren’t right, being able to express who you are and how you feel,” adds Nyadiew. “She’s always empowered us to go off and chase our dreams and whatever we want to do.”
After watching her older brothers Puoch and Nquoth “playing at the courts with their friends for fun”, Nyadiew and younger sister Manuela pursued the sport themselves, playing juniors for the Dandenong Rangers and then domestic. Nyadiew’s proud they can both be role models for their three younger siblings as well.
During the 2025/26 WNBL season, it’s been exciting for fans to watch Nyadiew and Southside Melbourne Flyers player Manuela actually go head-to-head on the court.
“We laugh about it because we think it’s crazy; we just started playing basketball and this is what it is now,” Nyadiew told basketball.com.au in October. “We’re both just really happy for each other and I know I’m really proud of what she’s done.”
Nyadiew’s connection with her current team goes back a season earlier, when she joined the University of Canberra Capitals, more widely known as the Canberra Capitals, for the 2024/25 season. At the time, she said the career move would provide a great opportunity to train in a “new environment”.
“The UC Capitals are very excited to welcome championship-winning WNBL player and 2024 WNBA draftee, Nyadiew Puoch to the UC Capitals in season 2024/25!” the UC Capitals said in a statement issued in July 2024. In the same announcement, Nyadiew said, “I am so excited to be joining the Caps. It will be great to be in a new environment with different faces, learning from new people and coaches.
“Canberra is a really nice place with a really good fan base, so that’s exciting!” she added. “I loved my time living there at the Centre of Excellence and can’t wait to get back and represent the UC Capitals.”
After a stellar first season with the UC Capitals, where she “was a consistent powerhouse” for the team, Nyadiew has since stayed on for the 2025/26 WNBL roster.
“After a standout debut with the UC Capitals, Nyadiew Puoch is BACK for the 2025/26 WNBL season!” the UC Capitals announced in May last year. “Following an incredible breakout year, where she averaged career highs across the board, the rising star is ready to take her game to new heights. With 13.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, Nyadiew was a consistent powerhouse for the Capitals, starting all 21 games.”
With the UC Capitals once again going up against the Southside Flyers at AIS Arena on February 3, we can’t wait to see Nyadiew (and sister Manuela) in action on the court!
Photo: WNBL Official Website with additional design by Missing Perspectives