Kia Nurse, a Hamilton, Ontario native, is reportedly signing with the Toronto Tempo, according to WNBA insider Chelsea Leite. This move marks the first Canadian player to join the Tempo, Toronto's expansion franchise in the WNBA. Nurse, 30, brings a wealth of experience to the team, having played in the WNBA since 2018.
Nurse's WNBA career includes stints with the New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, and Chicago Sky. In 245 career games, she has averaged 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. She was also named a WNBA All-Star in 2019. Beyond the WNBA, Nurse has an impressive resume, including two NCAA championships with UConn (2015-16), two WNBL titles in Australia (2019-20), and the 2020 WNBL MVP award. She has also represented Canada on the international stage, playing in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 Summer Olympics.
The Tempo are building their team for their inaugural season. The team participated in their first WNBA Draft on Monday night, selecting UCLA guard Kiki Rice with the sixth overall pick. They also added Kentucky forward Teonni Key and Australian forward Saffron Shiels in the second round, and Davidson forward Charlise Dunn in the third round. Earlier in the month, the Tempo signed Julie Allemand, their top pick from the WNBA expansion draft, to a multi-year contract.
The Toronto Tempo will begin play in 2026 at Coca-Cola Coliseum, becoming the first WNBA team based outside the United States. The addition of Nurse not only brings Canadian talent to the team but also a player with significant experience and accolades, setting a positive tone for their inaugural season.
