Sydney Flames sign collegiate star Agnes Emma-Nnopu
The Sydney Flames have signed Agnes Emma-Nnopu to a three-year contract to kick off the WNBL Free agency period.
The Nigerian-born Emma-Nnopu moved to Victoria at three years old, settling just outside of Geelong and became a basketball star for Vic Country. In her junior career, she won four medals on the world stage, highlighted by a bronze finish in the U17 (2017) and the U19 (2019) World Cups.
This early success led her to college, where the 24-year-old played three years for the Stanford Cardinals and two seasons for the TCU Horned Frogs. In her final collegiate season, she averaged 6.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and shot 36 percent from the arc.
The 5’11” guard/forward has recently signed with the NBL1 South’s Knox Raiders, joining former Flame Kiera Glover (nee Rowe), Opal Kristy Wallace, and Townsville Fire star Alicia Froling. In three games, she’s scored 26 points and has shown range from outside (shooting 4/11), and she’s been a strong scorer inside for the currently 10-3 Raiders.
Returning to Australia has become a full-circle moment, reuniting with Guy Molly, who was the head coach of the Melbourne Boomers when she was a training player in 2020.
“Before I went to college, I trained with Guy during his time at the Melbourne Boomers (where she was a development player) and always thought he was a great and very detailed coach,” she told the Flames.
“We stayed in touch while I was in the US, and it just felt right to reconnect with Guy, as I know he can help me become the player I want to be and achieve the goals I’ve set for myself with his developmental focus.”
Molloy shared the excitement, saying she will be critical to the Flames’ building culture.
“It’s great to be able to reconnect with Agnes after five seasons, and I couldn’t be more excited to have her at the Flames,” he said.
“Agnes is the quintessential glue and hustle player every team needs, and I just know our loyal Sydney fans are going to love her.”
Molloy went on to describe what Flames fans can expect from their new signing.
“Her athleticism and strength allow her to play and guard one through four on the court, where I know she can excel as an undersized forward,” he said.
“Add in her much-improved three-point shot, and she’s a legit two-way player that can make all the other players around her better.
“Honestly, she ticks all the boxes and we couldn’t be more excited that she’s signed on as a Flame.
Emma-Nnopu joins Emma Clarke, Lauren Nicholson, Carla Pitman and Shaneice Swain on the 2025/2026 roster.