College standout joins champions as development player

The Townsville Fire have announced their third development player for the WNBL27 season will be forward Antoniette Emma-Nnopu.

The 23-year-old joins Catelyn Van Es and Bree Stephens as development players on Shannon Seebohm's reigning champions.

Born in Aba, Nigeria, she grew up playing alongside older sister Agnes (who is with the Sydney Flames) in Geelong, before heading to the United States for college.

Emma-Nnopu's college journey began at UNC Greensboro in 2022, and after two years with the Spartans transferred to Weber State for her final two seasons.

In her senior campaign with the Wildcats, Emma-Nnopu started all 31 games and averaged 14.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.

Most recently, the Victorian lined up for North Gold Coast in NBL1, where she posted 13.1 points and 9 rebounds per contest.

In signing with the Fire, Emma-Nnopu has achieved a long-term goal.

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

"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.

"I'm looking forward to getting back home and playing professionally."

Emma-Nnopu and her Fire teammates will get the 2026 TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off underway on Thursday night, when they battle Perth from 7pm AEST.

All Tip Off fixtures will be streamed live on 9Now and Disney+.

Read more >> TechnologyOne Townsville Tip Off: Schedule, tickets & how to watch