Funmi Fadoju has quickly become one of the hottest properties in world netball thanks to her performances in the Netball Super League.
Just 22 years old, the defender has climbed the ranks at London Pulse to become a key cog for the capital franchise thanks to her huge vertical leap and uncanny nose for interceptions.
Fadoju brings a boundless energy to the court, defying her 5ft 9in stature to match up against the tallest shooters in the circle.
Fadoju was named Netball Super League Young Player of the Season in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons and her form soon earned her a first Vitality Roses cap against Uganda in 2022.
The Londoner has become a central part of Jess Thirlby’s squad, playing a big role in the Vitality Roses’ run to the 2023 Netball World Cup final.
In the Netball Super League, Fadoju helped guide Pulse to their first Grand Final in 2023, and will have eyes on making sure her side go one better in 2025.
Her performances in 2024 once again impressed, with Fadoju topping the standings for intercepts with 50, 20 more than the next player
Her 101 gains and 183 deflections were also league highs. That was enough to earn recognition at the end of the season, where she was voted Fans’ Player of the Season and finished runner-up in the Players’ Player of the Season award.
Fadoju grew up in Dagenham, where she was inspired by her Year 4 teacher Mr Thomson to take up netball.
From there, she climbed through the England age-grade ranks, representing her country at Under 17, Under 19, and Under 21 level.
Her standout performances for Pulse quickly caught the eye of England head coach Thirlby and her selectors, and Fadoju was soon playing alongside her idol Geva Mentor, with the pair even sharing a room at the 2023 Netball World Cup.
Despite her prowess on the court, Fadoju has admitted to a clumsy streak off the court, with the defender even once playing a match with an earphone in.
"All I think about is my play and the ball. Sometimes I can't even hear what people are saying on court I just focus on these two things," Fadoju told BBC Sport.
"I'm just fixated on my own thing and trying to do that. That's a talent and a downfall at times.
"I am a naturally forgetful, clumsy person. That's just who I am."
Away from the netball court, Fadoju is studying for a degree in biomedical sciences at Queen Mary University.
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