Nyadiew Puoch is an Australian professional basketball player making waves both domestically and internationally.
Born on June 23, 2004, in Tasmania, Australia, she was raised in Melbourne’s Cranbourne East suburb by her South Sudanese immigrant mother, Nyakong, a single parent.
Standing at an impressive 6 feet 3 inches, Nyadiew has quickly risen through the ranks of basketball, playing as a forward for the UC Capitals in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) and being drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2024 WNBA draft.
Her journey from a young athlete in Melbourne to a promising WNBA talent is a testament to her skill, determination, and the unwavering support of her family.
Siblings
Nyadiew is one of seven children in her family, a tight-knit group raised by their mother, Nyakong.
While detailed information about all her siblings is not widely available, it is known that Nyadiew is the oldest girl in the family.
Among her siblings, her younger sister Manuela Puoch stands out as another basketball talent.
Manuela, like Nyadiew, has pursued the sport and currently plays for the Southside Flyers in the WNBL, setting the stage for a unique sibling rivalry on the professional court.
Nyadiew has spoken about how her siblings challenged her growing up, often outplaying her in backyard basketball games.
“My siblings would kill me in that all the time,” she once remarked with a laugh, highlighting the spirited competition within the family.
Career
Puoch’s basketball career began at a young age, representing the Dandenong Rangers in Melbourne from the under-12 level through to under-18.
Her talent quickly became apparent, and she went on to represent Victorian Metro in the Australian Junior Championships, where she won gold in 2019 and 2021 and silver in 2022, earning the MVP award in the latter year.
These performances paved the way for her to join the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, where she honed her skills alongside other promising talents.
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In 2022, Nyadiew signed with the Southside Flyers in the WNBL for the 2022–23 season.
During her debut season, she averaged 5.8 points and 1.4 rebounds per game across 25 games, earning nominations for the WNBL’s Sixth Woman of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year awards.
In 2023, she joined the Dandenong Rangers in the NBL1 South, where she excelled, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks over 17 games.
She returned to the Southside Flyers for the 2023–24 season, contributing to their WNBL championship win with averages of 6.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game in 27 games.
Internationally, Nyadiew has represented Australia with distinction.
She helped the Australian Gems secure a silver medal at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and a gold medal at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship.
Her standout performances continued in 2023 when she competed in the inaugural women’s Nike Hoop Summit for the world select team, recording 16 points and a game-high four blocked shots.
In April 2024, Nyadiew’s career reached a new milestone when she was selected 12th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA draft, alongside her friend and fellow Australian Isobel Borlase, who was picked 20th.
Currently, she plays for the UC Capitals in the WNBL, continuing to develop her game while preparing for her WNBA debut.
Accolades
Puoch won a WNBL Championship with the Southside Flyers in the 2023–24 season.
In her debut season with the Southside Flyers (2022–23), she was a nominee for the WNBL Sixth Woman of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year awards.
In 2023, she was named the NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year after an outstanding season with the Dandenong Rangers.
At the Australian Junior Championships, she earned the MVP award in 2022, alongside gold medals in 2019 and 2021 and a silver in 2022.
Internationally, she secured a silver medal with the Australian Gems at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and a gold medal at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship.
In April 2024, she was selected 12th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA draft.
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