Kia Nurse is set to return home, as she is reportedly signing with the Toronto Tempo, according to WNBA insider Chelsea Leite. This move marks a significant milestone as it represents the first Canadian signing for the Toronto-based expansion franchise.
Nurse, a native of Hamilton, Ontario, brings a wealth of experience to the Tempo. Last season, she played for the Chicago Sky, where she averaged 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over 44 games, including 18 starts. The 30-year-old athlete has a robust history in the WNBA, having played a total of 245 games since being drafted 10th overall by the New York Liberty in 2018. Throughout her career in the league, she has maintained averages of 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while playing for several teams, including the Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, and Sky.
In addition to her WNBA achievements, Nurse has an impressive resume that includes two NCAA championships with the University of Connecticut in 2015 and 2016. She also claimed two Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) titles in Australia during the 2019 and 2020 seasons and was honored as the WNBL MVP in 2020. Nurse has been a significant contributor to the Canadian senior women's national team for over ten years and participated in the Olympic Games in 2016, 2020, and is set to compete again in 2024.
The announcement of Nurse joining Canada’s WNBA team, the Tempo, follows closely after the franchise's inaugural entry draft. During the draft, Toronto made four selections, picking guard Kiki Rice at No. 6, forward Teonni Key at No. 22, forward Saffron Shiels at No. 26, and guard Charlise Dunn at No. 36. This initial draft round indicates the franchise's commitment to building a competitive team around Nurse and the newly drafted players.
This signing not only strengthens the Toronto Tempo but also underlines the growing presence of Canadian talent in women's basketball. Nurse’s experience and leadership will likely play a pivotal role in the development of the expansion team, bringing local pride and enhancing the team’s visibility in the league.
