Last Updated on June 3, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

  • Full Name: Manuela Puoch
  • Nickname: Manny
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Date of Birth: October 5, 2006
  • Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • Height: 6’1″ (185 cm)
  • Weight: N/A
  • Wingspan: N/A
  • Shoe Size: N/A
  • Jersey Number:
    • #32 — Dandenong Rangers
    • #32 — Southside Melbourne Flyers
  • Position: Forward
  • High School: N/A
  • College: N/A
  • NBA Draft: New York Liberty, 2026 WNBA Draft, Round 3, Pick 11 (41st overall)
  • Player Archetype: Versatile two-way wing forward
  • Primary Offensive Role: Secondary scorer and transition finisher
  • Defensive Role: Multi-positional wing defender
  • Play Style: Athletic, high-motor forward who runs the floor, rebounds effectively, attacks closeouts, and contributes across multiple areas without needing high usage
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: N/A
  • Athletic Profile: Long, mobile, fluid athlete with above-average speed for her size and strong open-court movement
  • Recruiting Status: Australian junior national team prospect
  • Draft Status Detail: Selected by the New York Liberty in the 2026 WNBA Draft; developmental international prospect
  • Injury Status Category: Ironman — No significant injury history publicly documented
  • Career Stage: Early-career professional prospect
  • Comparison Style: Athletic developmental wing with defensive versatility
  • Comparable Players:
    • Nyadiew Puoch — similar length and wing versatility
    • Gabby Williams — defensive activity and transition impact
    • Sami Whitcomb — complementary two-way wing role
    • Marion Jones — athletic open-floor style
  • Teams Played For:
    • Dandenong Rangers (2024–Present)
    • Southside Melbourne Flyers (2025–2026)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Parents: Nyakong Puoch (mother)
  • Children: None
  • Siblings:
    • Nyadiew Puoch
    • Five additional siblings (names not publicly documented)
  • Athlete Relatives:
    • Nyadiew Puoch — sister, professional basketball player

Manuela Puoch’s player archetype is a versatile two-way wing forward who combines athleticism, length, and defensive versatility. Defensively, she projects as a multi-positional wing defender capable of guarding several positions and disrupting plays with her mobility and activity level. Offensively, she operates primarily as a secondary scorer and transition finisher who thrives in open space and contributes without requiring high usage. Standing 6’1″, she possesses good size, fluid movement, and strong rebounding instincts for a wing. Her play style is built around energy, versatility, open-court athleticism, and reliable all-around contributions on both ends of the floor.

Sources:

FIBA Basketball — Manuela Puoch
Basketball.com.au — Canberra Capitals’ Nyadiew Puoch Ready For WNBL Opener At John Cain Arena
New York Post — Liberty select Australia’s Manuela Puoch with sole WNBA draft pick