The Chicago Sky officially announced the signing of guard Kia Nurse on Tuesday. Nurse, a 6-season WNBA veteran for four previous teams, played in 40 games and started in 27 for the Los Angeles Sparks last season.
“Having another veteran leader to add to our roster is invaluable,” Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a Tuesday release. “Her consistency from beyond the arc and added versatility at the guard position will complement our team very well.
"Kia has a toughness, grit and competitive nature that we are looking for here.”
Nurse averaged 7.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game for LA last season. She was teammates with three former and one current Sky players at UConn, including forwards Gabby Williams and forward Azura Stevens. Nurse will reunite with a former backcourt partner in guard Moriah Jefferson during the Sky's 2025 campaign. Jefferson, a 4-time champion and 3-time All-AAC selection with the Huskies, sparsely played for Chicago after being included in a trade that sent guard Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun.
Nurse was selected with the 10th pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, the same draft that saw the Sky acquire Williams and guard Diamond DeShields. DeShields, who won a championship with the Sky in 2021, signed with the Connecticut Sun on Monday. Chicago brought back forward Michaela Onyenwere, but will still need to strengthen their small forward depth as free agency continues.
Chicago added depth and experience at the guard spots with the additions of Nurse, Rebecca Allen and a familiar face in Courtney Vandersloot. Should Dana Evans choose to return to the Sky, Chicago will have their two-deep guard rotation set even if they don't add guard talent in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Sky will also need to add depth at the power forward spot if they choose to let Isabelle Harrison walk in free agency.