The WNBA's newest expansion team, the Toronto Tempo, has signed Canadian guard Kia Nurse, the team announced. The signing marks a major homecoming for the veteran player as the league expands into Canada for the 2026 season.
Nurse, 30, is a prominent figure in Canadian basketball, having represented the national team at the 2016, 2020, and 2024 Olympic Games. She has previously played for the New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm over her seven-year WNBA career.
The Toronto Tempo, along with a second expansion team, are set to begin play in the 2026 WNBA season. The team's official name and branding were unveiled in late 2025. This move represents the WNBA's first expansion since 2008 and its first franchise outside the United States.
"Bringing a player of Kia's caliber and connection to Canadian basketball is a foundational step for our franchise," said a team executive in the official announcement. Nurse is expected to be a key veteran presence for the new team.
