Nyadiew Puoch was dolled up in a designer gown on the WNBA draft in New York when her basketball dream was realised two years in the past.
Quick ahead to early this morning and the 21-year-old was sporting pyjamas whereas watching the WNBA Enlargement Draft on TV from her mum’s mattress alongside her siblings as she was chosen by new franchise Portland Fire.
In current weeks, the Melbourne-born athletic ahead had been finalising her visa, prepared to move to the US and be part of the Atlanta Dream, who chosen her with decide No.12, after opting to not make the leap prior to now two seasons.
However when her agent Sammy Wloszczowski began ringing and messaging her telephone on Saturday morning, as Puoch was having fun with an Easter Saturday sleep in, issues rapidly modified.
“Every little thing occurred so rapidly, because it does on draft day. I would spoken to the Atlanta coach [Karl Smesko] a number of weeks in the past and was making ready to go there after which it modified actual fast,” she instructed ESPN.
Canberr’a Nyadiew Puoch [L] in the course of the WNBL sport in opposition to Bendigo Spirit, January 25, 2026 Mark Nolan/Getty Pictures
“Sammy was calling about 5.30am and texting saying: ‘I do know it is actually early there however you must stand up!’
“I am excited. It is all new for me going to the WNBA for the primary time however it will likely be new for all of us at a brand-new staff.”
Following the April 2024 draft, Puoch, already a WNBL champion with the Southside Flyers, moved to Canberra to affix the Capitals and play underneath Paul Goriss, a former Dream assistant and present Australian Opals affiliate head coach.
She averaged 11 factors, 4 rebounds, one steal and one block within the just lately accomplished season and produced one of many highlights of the 2025-26 marketing campaign when she sunk a surprising half-court game-winner in opposition to eventual Grand Finalist Perth again in January.
Now, she feels prepared for the WNBA.
“I do. It is like ‘let’s simply go over and see what occurs’. I am solely 21 however I’ve been taking part in within the WNBL, in opposition to the most effective gamers, for some time now and I am excited to take the subsequent step and problem myself.”
Goriss says Puoch has developed into a real professional after arriving within the nation’s capital as a uncooked teen.
Chloe Bibby is on observe for particular person event honours after posting one other double-double and reinforcing her affect at each ends. Fred Lee/Getty Pictures
“Her work ethic and dedication to being a professional has actually taken a leap from 12 months one with us in Canberra to 12 months two.
“The effort and time she put in final low season was important. She acquired into the gymnasium extra, she was lifting extra, she was getting work carried out on her capturing whereas she was residence in Melbourne.
“Nards has been actually dedicated to placing within the time to creating herself higher to be prepared for this chance.”
Puoch will not be the one Aussie to land in Portland.
After taking part in for the Golden State Valkyries of their inaugural 12 months in 2025, then happening to complete the season with the Indiana Fever alongside Caitlin Clark, Chloe Bibby strikes to a different new outfit within the Fire.
The 27-year-old, a part of final 12 months’s Asia Cup triumph in China, is presently taking part in for Spanish outfit Spar Girona in Euro League.
Paris Olympic bronze medallist Kristy Wallace was additionally taken within the franchise draft on Saturday, picked up by Sandy Brondello’s Toronto Tempo, and is on observe to play her first WNBA sport in additional than two years.
Wallace battled damage publish Olympics, missed the again finish of the 2024 WNBA season and did not return to the Fever final 12 months.
The dynamic guard is presently representing the Australian Gangurrus on the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore.