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Kia Nurse (’14) Signs With The University of Connecticut
On November 19, 2013, Hamilton Ontario native Kia Nurse (5’10”, G, St. Thomas More, 2014) officially signed her national letter of intent to become a University of Connecticut Husky.
“It’s a little overwhelming. So much support and I’m really appreciative of everybody,” said Nurse overwhelmed by the thought of the many people that have had a hand in her development to this point.
“Everybody has worked hard and gotten me to where I am. Basketball Canada, my coaches, the school and everything, I’m really happy for that.”
In the months leading up to this decision, Nurse, who is ranked as the number one prospect in Canada from the Class of 2014 had garnered quite a bit of attention.
She was one of the last of the highly ranked players in North America to make her decision, which led to quite the storm about where she would ultimately attend.
“I just kind of went with the flow. I mean I didn’t know where I was going, so I would tell you, ‘I didn’t know where I was going’. When I needed to focus on it I think I did, and that’s how I kept it under control.”
Nurse ultimately chose the University of Connecticut, one of the newer members of the American Athletic Conference, from the shortlist she revealed back in Early October. The list at the time included Penn State, Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee.
“I think UConn is just going to be a lifetime experience that is going to benefit me for the better. With the high dreams and high goals that I want to achieve, I think this is the best fit and the best place for me to do it.”
It was no secret that Huskies Head Coach, Geno Auriemma, made Nurse a high priority as his next recruit, even making sure he spent time in Mexico to watch Nurse represent The Canadian National Senior Women’s Team. Being recruited by a Coach with the track record Auriemma has, was quite the allure for Nurse as well.
“I’ve seen seen what he has done with some amazing players,” said Nurse no doubt referring to the legacy of top players that have flourished under Auriemma including all-time greats such as Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Maya Moore. “I want to be like them. I aspire to be a great. So, that was the best fit for me.”
With the proven history of the UConn program over the past 20+ years, a stellar group of players will no doubt surround Nurse in UConn blue. And having been a lead on many of the teams in various aspects of her basketball career to this point, it was assuring to know that Nurse is prepared to not expect everything to revolve around her when she suits up next Fall.
“They have so many great players that there really isn’t a major focal point now. I think playing with such great players is only going to make me better, and I’m really looking forward to that,” she said with a team first mentality.
“If I not a starter, then I’m not a starter. I’ll just come off the bench. Its about working your way up. But, I’m going to work and give them a reason to start me.”
Another one of the reasons that Nurse mentions why she chose to attend UConn was because of how well they fit her style of play
“I think that I really fit into their style of play, that was one of the reasons why I chose them. They run. And that’s what I’ve done my entire life.”
She also concedes that there will be some things that she will continue to tighten up on between now and then that will help her come into their training camp well prepared.
“I think working in transition and continuing to work on finishing in transition and finishing in the lanes. Their offense is a lot of read and react, so I’ll be working on that, going there and being ready. I think with the [Canadian Senior Women’s] National Team we do a lot of read and react stuff too so I kind of have a bit of a head start, so I’m appreciative for that.”
Helping her finish off the tail end of her training will be her father, Richard who has Coached Kia’s Hamilton Transway team since she was first introduced to the game. And since his introduction of the game to her, Richard has always instilled a ‘no plays off’ mentality within Kia, which is still more than evident when watching her play to this day.
“Compete, compete, compete. Every game. Every possession. Every practice,” said Richard about what he has methodically imparted to his daughter from a young age. “Leave it all on the court. Compete at everything you do.”
Rather than rebel from the teachings of her father, Kia has embraced it. And much to her favour, has seen his motivation, no matter how tough it would seem at times, for what it is. Discipline to help her to get to her goals.
“The only reason why I’m a Guard was because of him. He put me in the Guard spot even when I was little even though I was huge. I appreciate that.”“There are times when he’s going to be harder on me than anybody else. But I mean…its your father! Theres a difference between when he’s your coach and when he’s your dad. But he’s always going to push me to be the best I can be.”
The influence of friends and family is extremely important to Kia, who can rely on them for their experience for direction and humility.
The amount of athletic savvy that she has to draw from her own family only is quite remarkable. Her Father played for the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Her mother Kathy played basketball in the CIS at McMaster University. Her sister Tamika played for the Oregon Ducks and later ended her NCAA career with Bowling Green. Her aunt Racquel, played basketball at Syracuse and eventually married former NFL Quarterback, Donovan McNabb. And, her brother Darnell was drafted earlier this summer to the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers where he is finding some success in his rookie season.
“I think the main thing is my support system,” Kia said referring to what keeps her grounded and focused. “My family, they have been through all this stuff. My best friend is my brother and he is insanely loved.”
Going on about some of the things that have stuck with her from her brother with whom she is only a year younger than, Kia went on to say “Learning from him, he’s always said ‘Its easy to get to the top. Its harder to stay there.’ But, he’s so humble and I think that helps me.”
I asked Kia what she thought about what she thought she would say to a younger fan that asked for advice. Her response was one of not taking anything for granted.
“Take the moments that you get to do the little things. Take the extra opportunities you have to be on the court. There’s going to be a lot of sacrifices.”
“It could be hard, or it could be easy. Baskertball can feel like a job sometimes. But in the end those sacrifices are definitely worth it and anything’s possible until impossible is proven as my Religion teacher says.”
Although Kia is leaning towards a Major in Business next Fall, she has also considered pursuing Criminology studies.