Nyadiew Puoch
| Atlanta Dream | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Forward | ||||||||||||||||||||
| League | WNBA | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | June 23, 2004 Hobart, Tasmania | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||||||||
| WNBA draft | 2024: 1st round, 12th overall pick | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected by the Atlanta Dream | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 2022–present | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2024 | Southside Flyers | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Nyadiew Puoch (born June 23, 2004) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She previously played for the Southside Flyers of the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). She helped the Australian Gems win silver at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and gold at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Asian Championship.
Playing career[edit]
At the junior level, Puoch represented the Dandenong Rangers from under 12 through the under 18 level. She represented fsVictorian Metro in the Australian Junior Championships, winning gold in 2019 and 2021 and silver in 2022 where she was awarded the MVP of the Championships.[1][2]
Puoch played two seasons for the Dandenong Rangers of the NBL1 South, where she averaged 21.6 points and 8.6 rebounds in 21 games for the club.[3] She was named the NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year in 2023.[4] She competed in the inaugural women's Nike Hoop Summit game for the world select team.[5] She recorded 16 points and a game-high four blocked shots.[6]
On September 8, 2022, Puoch signed with the Southside Flyers of the WNBL for the 2022–23 season.[2] During her first year with the Flyers she was nominated for the WNBL's Sixth Woman of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year awards.[7] On July 27, 2023, she signed with the Flyers for the 2023–24 season.[8] During the season she averaged 6.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game in 16 games and helped the Flyers win the WNBL championship.[9][10]
On April 15, 2024, Puoch was drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2024 WNBA draft.[11][12]
Personal life[edit]
Puoch was born in Tasmania, and raised in Cranbourne East, Victoria, the daughter of a South Sudanese immigrant and single mother, Nyakong.[13] She has six siblings.[14]
National team career[edit]
Puoch made her international debut for Australia at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup where she averaged 11.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game and won a silver medal.[15][16] She then competed at the 2022 FIBA Under-18 Women's Asian Championship where she averaged 13 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game and won a gold medal.[17]
She again represented Australia at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup where she averaged 14.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in seven games.[18][17]
References[edit]
- ^ Bennett, Russell (August 14, 2020). "Shooting star is soaring". Dandenong Star Journal. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "Local Gem Joins the Flyers". wnbl.basketball. September 8, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "NBL1 star selected in WNBA Draft". dba.net. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Rangers NBL1 South Player Signing". dba.net. December 18, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Nyadiew Puoch Taking to the World Stage". wnbl.basketball. July 18, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ Ferrán, René (April 9, 2023). "'An amazing event for women's basketball.' USA, World stars make inaugural Nike Hoop Summit women's game a night to remember". highschool.si.com. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "Iowa's Caitlin Clark, Stanford's Cameron Brink, South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso, Tennessee's Rickea Jackson, and LSU's Angel Reese Headline Prospects to Attend WNBA Draft 2024 Presented by State Farm®". wnba.com. April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "The Block Doctor Is Back". wnbl.basketball. July 27, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Dream Bolster Roster with Youth and International Experience with Three Picks in 2024 WNBA Draft". dream.wnba.com. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Rosanowski, Jayden (March 17, 2024). "WNBL24 Southside Flyers Cygnett WNBL Champions". wnbl.basketball. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta Dream select Australian teenager with No. 12 pick in WNBA draft". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Meet the three Aussies joining the WNBA". ESPN.com. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Emotional Puoch heads Aussie trio's WNBA draft success". ESPN.com. April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Bourchier, Lachlan (May 18, 2021). "Length, speed and athleticism: Nyadiew Puoch is a rare talent". pickandroll.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Nagel, David (July 20, 2021). "Nyadiew a true Australian Gem". The Pakenham-Berwick Gazette. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ France, Lachy (August 20, 2021). "Gems sparkle to collect more World Cup silver". pickandroll.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ a b "Nyadiew Puoch". fiba.basketball. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ "Gems squad announced for the U19 FIBA Women's World Cup". basketballvictoria.com. May 24, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.