The Portland Fire have added an underrated player to their roster

The Portland Fire have bolstered their roster with the signing of forward Amy Okonkwo, a versatile player who has demonstrated her skills across various leagues including the WNBA, Europe and Africa. Okonkwo, a two-time Women’s AfroBasket MVP, was signed to a standard contract as a replacement for Sarah Ashlee Barker, who will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.

Okonkwo, who has played in a total of 9 WNBA regular-season games over the past two seasons, is known for her prowess on the court, averaging 11 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game during her time with the Dallas Wings. Despite spending much of her career overseas, playing in Spain, France, Israel and Mexico, Okonkwo is most recognized for her exceptional performance with the Nigerian team.

She led Nigeria to its fifth consecutive African title in 2025, scoring an impressive 14 points per game during the 2023 AfroBasket tournament. Her impressive credentials and versatility make her a valuable addition to the Fire squad, which has been struggling with injuries this season. Okonkwo expressed her excitement about the opportunity, stating, "It's a great opportunity," and looking forward to contributing to the team in any way she can.