Adding fuel to the Fire: Emma-Nnopu stays up north

The Townsville Fire have built out their development program further on the eve of the TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off, announcing the signing of forward Antoniette Emma-Nnopu for the WNBL27 season.

The 23-year-old, who played for the North Gold Coast Seahawks in the NBL1 North, averaged 13.1 points, 9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, while showing great defensive activity with 2.3 steals per contest.

This was Emma-Nnopu's first NBL1 season since 2022, when she played for Geelong United in the NBL1 South alongside older sister Agnes.

The Nigerian-born player moved from UNC Greensboro to Weber State for her third season of college basketball in the United States, a place where she had her strongest campaign.

In her senior year, she averaged 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, reflective of how she'd deliver in the 2026 NBL1 North season.

Emma-Nnopu's move to the Fire signals a long-held ambition being reached.

"It would really mean a lot [to play in the WNBL]," Emma-Nnopu told basketball.com.au in a 2025 interview.

"Just being able to take it to that next level would really be a highlight, and if I get to play with my sister, that would even be amazing."

Emma-Nnopu joins Catelyn Van Es (Kilsyth Cobras) and Bree Stephens (Townsville Flames) as Fire development players.

The reigning champions play the Perth Lynx from 7pm AEST in Game 1 of the Townsville Tip Off.