Nyadiew Puoch A Real Gem
Puoch taking on the world with the Gems in Spain
After debut WNBL season that ended in a Grand Final series with the Flyers and the nickname, “The Block Doctor”, Nyadiew Puoch has continued her rise in the basketball world.
In early July Puoch joined the Australian Under-19 Women’s team – the Gems – for the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup being played in Madrid, Spain between July 15 and 23. This follows being named in the extended Opals squad for the recent FIBA Women’s Asia Cup played in Sydney and being part of the Nike Hoop Summit, along with some of the best junior talent from all over the world.
It has been a busy and exciting time for the 19-year-old (Puoch celebrated her 19th birthday on June 23). At the end of her WNBL debut season she was nominated for the Sixth Woman of the Year and Breakout Player of the Year in the WNBL season Awards.
FIBA Under-19 World Cup
The Gems head to the World Cup with great confidence after winning the U18 Asian Women’s Championship, defeating China in the final in India in September last year. The Gems are in Pool A of the World Cup, along with Argentina, France and host nation Spain. The first game will be against Spain on July 16 (AEST).
In part 2 of Nyadiew’s world adventures we have a look at her time at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon – the home of Nike and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers.