How a text message from a friend helped fan the Flames

Olivia Epoupa answered the call of a long-time friend and former teammate to return to Australia. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Olivia Epoupa didn't expect to make a snap move to Australia until an old friend slid into her messages.

The former French international, WNBA player and the 2020 WNBL grand final MVP was an 11th-hour signing for the Sydney Flames after WNBA import Grace Berger suffered a season-ending injury.

Having just played in Saudi Arabia, Epoupa was looking to plot her next move when she heard from her former UC Capitals teammate and now Flames forward Keely Froling.

"Froling texted me and said, 'Hey, my friend, how are you ... are you still available?'" Epoupa told AAP.

Sydney Flames star Keely Froling reached out to her her former UC Capitals teammate. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

"Then she told me, 'Can I give your number to the general manager, and then the coach?'

"I had a meeting with my manager. He went super well with the coach from that negotiation."

Epoupa already knew Sydney's coach, Guy Molloy, having played against him when he led the Melbourne Boomers.

He also threw her in at the deep end, because the day after the point guard was announced as their new import, she came off the bench against the Southside Melbourne Flyers.

But three weeks on, she has only found the basket in one of her four games.

Olivia Epoupa has yet to hit her stride for the Flames but knows her best form isn't far away. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

The point guard has shown flashes of her famous pace, darting and dashing around the court while turning her opponents inside out.

But she feels as though she's yet to reach her best.

"Knowing my situation, I knew that it was going to take some time, and the work is not done yet," Epoupa said.

"I was not expecting to be back in Australia, but when you're on the free market you're just waiting for opportunity."

Molloy admitted Epoupa's signing was a "disruption" to the side, because she hadn't played in more than a month.

Flames coach Guy Molloy knows his new import has plenty more to give. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

"She was up-front to let us know when her last season finished; she's done nothing," the coach said.

"She hasn't done anything. She's got a long way to go.

"We saw some great assists and some really clever steals and how quick she is with her hands and that sort of stuff."

Epoupa next plays against the Adelaide Lightning on Sunday, with the Flames looking to claim back-to-back victories for the first time this season.