Photo from BWNL Facebook
3 minute read
By Andrea Aruino
Emme Eisenman completed her final season playing overseas during the 2025-2026 season with the Cardiff Met Archers in Wales. While she initially went to Wales to complete her master’s degree in sports psychology, she also took on the opportunity to continue playing basketball in a completely new environment. Eisenman finished the season as the team’s top scorer, averaging 20.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 6.0 APG while starting all 18 games.
Coming from the United States, Eisenman quickly learned that basketball in Wales was structured differently from what she was used to. Cardiff Met has several levels within its program, and because international players needed Division I or Division II experience to compete professionally, Eisenman played for the university and BWNL teams. The experience allowed her to compete alongside players with different backgrounds and levels of experience, giving her a new perspective on the game and the opportunity to learn from those around her.
“I played with some former Olympic players from England and Wales, which I loved. I also played with some really young girls [and] some older girls, so just a very diverse group that I got to play alongside,” Eisenman said.
While adjusting to a new style of basketball, Eisenman was also balancing a full season with her master’s degree. Finding a routine that allowed her to manage school, basketball, rest and recovery became an important part of her experience. On the court, Eisenman also found herself in a new role. After primarily playing shooting guard throughout her career, she transitioned into more of a point guard role, giving her the opportunity to become a stronger facilitator.
“Taking on a new position helped me become more of a verbal leader, which I had never really been before, and I really enjoyed stepping into that role,” Eisenman said.
As the season progressed, Eisenman and her teammates continued to build chemistry and find their rhythm. That growth was put to the test when they reached the championship game against Ynys Môn. Injuries and illness left the team with only six available players, while their head coach, Stef Collins, was unavailable and assistant coaches, Caitlyn Riley and Luke Strong, had to step in. The team also had to travel five hours by bus on the day of the game. Rather than focusing on the circumstances, Eisenman and her teammates entered the championship with a simple mindset.
Cardiff Met went on to win the championship 70-65, with Eisenman recording a double-double with 24 points, 14 rebounds, 9 steals, 2 assists. To top it all off she was named the Finals MVP. After everything the team had experienced throughout the season, the victory became a reflection of the work they had put in from the beginning.
“The majority of everyone thought we weren't going to win but, you know, it just takes a little bit of faith and hard work and somehow we won. The training that goes into all of it definitely shows when it comes down to high stakes competitions like that,” Eisenman said.
The championship was also a reflection of the relationships Eisenman built throughout the season. She became especially close with several of her teammates, including younger players who looked to her for guidance. Before the final, the team constantly encouraged one another and reminded each other of their strengths.
After the championship, Eisenman remained in Wales for another month, splitting her time between team training and completing her schoolwork. She returned home to complete the last half of her master’s degree and began the next chapter of her basketball career, coaching at Davis Senior High School, where she hopes to incorporate what she learned through sports psychology into her coaching. While she is not currently playing overseas, she has not ruled out returning to basketball in the future.
Her season with Cardiff Met gave Eisenman the opportunity to challenge herself in a new environment, develop as a point guard and leader, and see years of training come together on the court. She left Wales with a championship, a Finals MVP, a master’s degree and an experience that will continue to shape her as both a player and coach.
