Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s detailed information about Kia Nurse:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Kia Nurse
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • Age: Born February 22, 1996
  • Hometown: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • Height: 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm)
  • Weight: 181 lb (82 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 4 inches (193cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 10 (US)
  • Number: 5 (New York Liberty), 0 (Phoenix Mercury), 0 (Seattle Storm), 10 (Los Angeles Sparks)
  • Position: Guard (Point Guard / Shooting Guard)
  • High School:
    • St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)
  • College:
    • University of Connecticut (UConn) (2014–2018)
  • WNBA Draft:
    • Selected 10th overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty
  • Teams Played For:
    • New York Liberty (2018–2020)
    • Phoenix Mercury (2021–2023)
    • Seattle Storm (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings: None in the WNBA (as of 2024); won two NCAA championships with UConn (2015, 2016)
  • Kids: None (as of public information in 2024)
  • Siblings:
    • Darnell Nurse (older brother, NHL player for the Edmonton Oilers)
    • Tamika Nurse (older sister, former college basketball player at Oregon and Bowling Green)

Player Archetype / Play Style

Kia Nurse’s player archetype is that of a two-way shooting guard: a smart, competitive perimeter player who blends floor spacing with positional size and dependable effort on the defensive end. At 6-foot-0 and 181 pounds, she has strong guard size that helps her absorb contact, shoot over smaller defenders, and hold her own across backcourt matchups. Offensively, her role is built around spot-up shooting, off-ball movement, quick decision-making, and secondary ball-handling rather than heavy on-ball creation, while defensively she brings value as a disciplined perimeter defender who uses awareness, toughness, and sound positioning more than pure disruption. Altogether, Nurse plays like a steady veteran wing guard whose game is shaped by shooting, competitiveness, and a team-first style that fits neatly into structured lineups.

Fun Facts

  • She gained recognition during her college career at UConn, where she won two NCAA championships.
  • Nurse is also a key member of the Canadian national team, helping them compete on the global stage.
  • Beyond basketball, she comes from a family of accomplished athletes, including an older brother and sister who were also professional athletes.

Sources:

WNBA.com — Kia Nurse Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status
Las Vegas Aces — Kia Nurse, 6-0, G, UConn
ESPN — Kia Nurse