When approximately 50 colleges and universities contacted the Canadian to join them citing her high school performances, this point guard zeroed on four renowned universities- Penn State, Indiana, Kentucky, and University of Connecticut, before joining the UConn Huskies in 2014. A loyal teammate to players Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, we are talking about none other than Kia Nurse.

Nurse averaged a total of 11.4 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during her collegiate career at the Huskies before progressing to the pros in 2018. With spectacular on-court performances, Kia became the overall 10th pick in the first-round of WNBA drafts. Inducted by the New York Liberty, the rookie spent two years with the team before venturing into other locker rooms. After her fantastic yet brief stints in the Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, and the Los Angeles Sparks, Nurse joined the Chicago Sky this year.

As someone who scored a season high (among rookies) of 34 points during Liberty’s 87–81 win against the Indiana Fever, Kia has stormed on the court since her freshman season. And while we are aware of the two-time NCAA national champion’s on-court charisma, where does Kia come from? Who is her inspiration behind basketball? Let us understand the factors that shaped Kia Nurse as a player we know of today.

Where is Kia Nurse from, and What is Kia Nurse’s Nationality?

Born on February 22, 1996, to parents, Cathy Nurse and Richard Nurse, in the bustling city of Hamilton, Ontario, Kia is a Canadian national. Kia belongs to a strong sports background, and it was only natural that she chose to pursue a career in the sports industry. Her father, Richard Nurse, represented the Hamilton Tigercats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, whereas her mother, Cathy, played hoops at McMaster University. Her uncle, Donovan McNabb, was a renowned quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.

On the other hand, her elder brother, Darnell Nurse, is a professional hockey player who became the 2013 first-round pick by the Edmonton Oilers. Darnell has participated in several international championships and even led Team Canada to winning gold at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. Meanwhile, Kia’s older sister, Tamika, has represented the University of Oregon and Bowling Green State University in basketball.

As the youngest of three children, Kia was always fascinated by basketball, thanks to her elder sister. Needless to say, her parents were quick to recognize the interest and pushed her to play. Playing basketball since the age of four, Kia entered her first league at the tender age of seven. The interest soon transformed into a fiery passion for the sport. And she hasn’t looked back since. Representing her school in basketball, Kia was a major factor in the team winning three consecutive OFSSA high school championships between 2011 and 2013.

What is Kia Nurse’s ethnicity?

Despite being born a Canadian by birth, Kia’s ethnicity tells an interesting tale. While details about her mother’s descent are not verified, some sources suggest that Cathy Nurse is a European-Canadian descendant. On the other hand, Father Richard was born in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean islands and is of Afro-Caribbean descent. However, he was raised in Hamilton, Canada.

So, Kia has accepted her diverse ethnic roots and is also seen honoring them through her athleticism and versatility on the court. The overall 10th pick was also featured in a TSN documentary titled Uninterrupted in 2020, where she opened up about her parents. She also talked about her firsthand experience with racism in the documentary.

Kia has also participated internationally and has represented her country on more than one occasion. She first appeared on the International scene in 2012, where she represented Canada at the FIBA U-17  World Championship for Women. She then played for the national team from 2013 to 2015 at the senior level before progressing to the 2016 Rio Olympics and becoming a 2020 Tokyo Olympics finalist.

These international titles strengthened her professional career and cemented Kia as an efficient player with a basketball IQ much higher than her counterparts. As someone who grew up in a fierce household, Kia has always been competitive on the court. These skills, coupled with her work ethic, professionalism, and dynamic gameplay, make her stand out. Needless to say, Kia Nurse is a proven asset for the Chicago Sky.

Is Kia Nurse Christian?

There are no publicly verifiable reports that suggest or affirm Kia Nurse’s religious beliefs. Besides, the player has always refrained from discussing her religion or faith. While many fans speculate that Kia follows Christianity because she attended a convent school, St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, these are mere speculations, and neither Kia nor her family ever confirmed the same.