By David Nagel
It’s a long way from the Fountain Gate Primary School to the basketball courts of Debrecen in Hungary – but that’s the path taken by Nyadiew Puoch when she lines up for the Australian Gems in the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Women’s World Cup.
Puoch, from Cranbourne East, is one of 12 players chosen to represent her country in the tournament that runs from August 7 to 15, based on performances during the most recent camp held at Canberra’s Centre of Excellence and most recent national championships.
The athletic star has represented Victoria at the last three national carnivals – at under-16 and 18 levels – and is still pinching herself that she is now living in Canberra, after earning a two-year scholarship to attend the AIS Centre of Excellence.
She is also excited to be preparing for the biggest tournament for her age group in the world.
“It’s incredible and I’m shocked to be here, it feels like yesterday that I was home playing basketball with my brothers in Dandenong,” Puoch said.
“It’s really exciting; I remember watching the under-19s on TV when I was younger and thinking how good it would be to play for the Gems.
“I got through the camp, and then got selected, and now we’re preparing to go to Hungary.”
Puoch started playing basketball at the age of 12, when she got intrigued with the sport after watching her older brothers, Puoch and Nguoth, play at the Dandenong Stadium.
Nyadiew soon became a convert, playing in domestic competitions at Dandenong Stadium, and developed her skills quickly under the basketball coaching and elite programs run at the Rowville Secondary College.
Puoch, who ranks Australian legend Lauren Jackson and current Melbourne Boomer and Seattle Storm player Ezi Magbegor as her heroes, believes it is her athleticism that has made her stand out from the crowd.
“I’m very athletic and have good length, a long body, and I like to attack the rim,” she said.
“I play the two or three (shooting guard or small forward) but can stretch out to four (power forward) if need be.”
Puoch was supposed to move interstate at the end of last year but Covid restrictions put paid to that. She moved to the national capital earlier this year, living on site and going to school at Lake Ginninderra in Canberra.
She thinks the experienced gained from training with the country’s best under-age talent will hold her in good stead moving forward.
Her time in Canberra has already been a real eye-opener.
“It has, it’s really opened my eyes to how much talent these girls have and how much hard work they put in,” she said.
“At domestic level you might be the tallest and have an edge in talent, but up here there are some great players and we’re all together so it’s just such a great learning experience.
“I’m doing a weights program and working on my strength. I’m only a young woman so building my strength will be important.
“Playing for the Gems is going to be such a great experience and it’s going to be great to see how far we can go.”
Nyadiew wanted to thank some special people before she signed off. Her coaches and her mum Nyakong, who moved to Melbourne form South Sudan, were at the top of her list.
“I just want to thank all my junior coaches at the Dandenong Basketball Association and at Rowville Secondary College, they’ve been great as well,” Puoch said.
“But I especially want to thank my mum. She has brought all of us children up on her own and has made many sacrifices to help us do what we want to do.”
Australia has drawn pool A alongside the USA, Italy and Egypt.
The Squad
Isobel Borlase South Australia
Kate Deeble Queensland
Charlise Dunn Victoria
Chyra Evans New South Wales
Dallas Loughridge Victoria
Jade Melbourne Victoria
Isabelle Morgan New South Wales
Olivia Pollerd Victoria
Millie Prior New South Wales
Nyadiew Puoch Victoria
Kelsey Rees South Australia
Shaneice Swain Queensland
Fixture
Saturday, 7 August: Australia v Egypt.
Sunday, 8 August: Australia v USA.
Tuesday, 10 August: Australia v Italy.
August 13 to 15 Finals
