Flames sign exciting Emma-Nnopu to three-year deal
The Sydney Flames are thrilled to unveil Agnes Emma-Nnopu as the club’s fifth signing for the WNBL26 season.
Emma-Nnopu’s three-year deal, which has a mutual option in the third season, will see her join Lauren Nicholson, Shaneice Swain, Emma Clarke and Carla Pitman on Guy Molloy’s side.
“For me, signing with the Flames and having the chance to work with Guy [Molloy] is amazing and a full-circle moment for me,” said the 24-year-old.
“Before I went to college, I trained with Guy during his time at the Melbourne Boomers (where she was a development player in 2003) and always thought he was a great and very detailed coach.
“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.”
Born in Aba, Nigeria, Emma-Nnopu moved to Tasmania at the age of three, where she first started playing basketball with the Burnie Tigers.
Her family then moved to Victoria when she was eight, which saw her play her entire junior career with the Bellarine Storm.
This led her to represent Victoria Country and Australia at a junior level – including winning four medals on the world stage (gold at 2016 under 16s Asia Qualifiers, silver at the 2019 under 19s FIBA World Cup and bronze at the both 2017 under 17 FIBA World Cup and the 2018 under 18 Asia Qualifiers).
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During this time, Emma-Nnopu spent time with SEABL squad, the Geelong SuperCats (alongside Flame #228 Isabella Brancatisano), before attending Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence and winning back-to-back under 20s national titles with Victoria.
All this success led her to sign on with the University of Stanford in the United States, which she attended between 2020-2023.
This three-year stint with the Cardinal saw Emma-Nnopu make 82 appearances for the school and help her side win the 2021 NCAA Championship, as well as three Pac-12 regular season championships (2021-2023), two Pac-12 Tournament championships (2021-2022) and two Pac-12 Academic Honour Roll selections (2022 and 2023).
Following her successful career at Stanford, Emma-Nnopu moved to Texas Christian University for her final two years of eligibility.
Across those two seasons, the wing played in 68 games (starting 61) and helped TCU win both the 2025 Big 12 regular season and tournament and reach the Elite Eight (first team to do so in school history), where her side eventually lost 58-47 to Texas.
With this impressive resume to her name, Emma-Nnopu is confident she can help the Flames’ chase of a fifth championship.
“During my time at college, my game has definitely evolved,” said Emma-Nnopu, who led the Big 12 in offensive rebounding (76) during the 2025 season.
“Hustle was and still is a big part of my game, as shown by my willingness to do the little things to help a team win, be that by crashing the offensive glass or getting extra possessions for my team on defence.
“But my five years in the US helped me become more of a scorer and particularly work on my three-point shooting.
“I honestly believe I’m a versatile, winning player and can complement the pieces we have on our roster, including both Shaneice (went to the COE together) and Emma (was on the under 18s Asia Cup side together), who I’ve spent time with previously.
“I saw how successful a season the Flames had last year, and I’m confident that, with my competitiveness, I can be a missing piece to help the club win another championship.”
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Coach Guy Molloy is excited to add a promising talent like Emma-Nnopu, who is currently starring for Knox in the NBL1 South competition, to his squad.
“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, said Molloy, who is entering his third season with the Hoops Capital side.
“Agnes is the quintessential glue and hustle player every team needs, and I just know our loyal Sydney fans are going to love her.
“She has an incredible work rate and is always one of the hardest trainers, which is evident by the amount her game has improved during her time abroad.
“Not to mention, she is going to be great for our culture and where we’re trying to get to as a club.”
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Molloy now has five players signed for the WNBL26 campaign and believes Emma-Nnopu adds a different element to the squad, while complementing the other quartet’s strengths.
“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.
“She played a massive role in helping her TCU team reach the Elite Eight, alongside some big-time stars – attacking as that connecter between the perimeter and the paint.
“Honestly, she ticks all the boxes and we couldn’t be more excited that she’s signed on as a Flame.”
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