Nyadiew Puoch never had to look far to find a hero, for they lived under the same roof.
That hero is a role model, inspiration and Nyadiew’s reason – it’s her mother Nyakong.
The single mother of seven has taught the UC Caps WNBL player, WNBA draftee and Opals squad member everything she knows about independence, determination, family and grace.
“My mum is incredible, such an amazing lady. She works hard all the time providing for the family, has sacrificed so much for us and everything us kids do is for her and to make her proud.
“We’re doing that and it’s great to see that smile on her face.”
Chasing her basketball dreams, Nyadiew has twice moved away from home in Melbourne’s outer south-east to the nation’s capital, first on a scholarship at the Centre of Excellence then later to join the Caps in 2024 after winning a title with the Southside Flyers the previous season.
It’s during these periods she’s drawn inspiration from her mum.
“The biggest thing she’s taught me is about being independent and a strong person, confident to stand up when things aren’t right, being able to express who you are and how you feel. She’s always empowered us to go off and chase our dreams and whatever we want to do,” Nyadiew explains.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned from her is independence and that’s what she’s been doing herself from such a young age.”
Basketball has weaved a constant thread through the life of the Puoch family.
All seven siblings are entrenched in the game and it’s thanks to Nyadiew’s older brothers, Puoch, 25, and Nquoth, 23.
Both Nyadiew and Manuela, 18, play in the WNBL and for their home club Dandenong Rangers in NBL1.
Twins Tesloch and Tiedore, 16, attend Rowville Secondary College and are well on their respective journeys as is 13-year-old Bol.
“My older brothers used to play at the courts with their friends for fun, Manny and I would go and try to play and they wouldn’t let us so we’d play one-on-one when they had a break. Manny and I then went and played juniors at Dandenong, then domestic and it evolved from that
“It’s incredible, the youngest siblings get to see what Manny and I do and get inspired by it and want to follow the same path and that makes us proud.
“My family is everything – we have such a great bond and connection together. Moving out of home at a young age to go to the Centre of Excellence, I think I realised how much I love and miss them so every time I do come home or see them I’m so happy.
“They’re my biggest supports and always so loyal, they mean the world to me.”
