Agnes Emma-Nnopu shines at Under 19 World Cup

OCEAN Grove’s Agnes Emma-Nnopu has recently returned from the FIBA Under 19 Women Basketball World Cup, where she was part of a formidable Australian side that went all the way to the final.

Emma-Nnopu said the World Cup was an incredible event.

“The experience was one in a lifetime. The atmosphere was great and being able to play against some of the world’s best players in that age group was amazing.

“To be able to play in a gold medal match on the world stage representing my country while playing the sport that I love is something I will never forget. Ever.”

Emma-Nnopu is in the second year of a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport, and has been part of Australian youth sides before, having previously played in the Under 17 World Cup.

Despite this, she was surprised by the quality of the competition, even though Australia’s Under 19 side were themselves one of the surprises of the tournament.

They not only got to the final, but very nearly won it, taking the game all the way to overtime, where the USA snared a four-point victory.

Emma-Nnopu said “every team was there watching wanting us to take down the USA”.

Despite being one of the younger players in the team, Emma-Nnopu played a significant role in Australia’s World Cup. At one stage in the fourth quarter of the final, she made a three point jump-shot when scores were level.