Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Kia Nurse, of Canada, drives around Promise Amukamara, of Nigeria, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
By The Canadian Press

Toronto Tempo sign Canadian guard Kia Nurse ahead of inaugural WNBA season

Apr 14, 2026 | 7:22 AM

TORONTO — The Toronto Tempo have signed Canadian guard Kia Nurse ahead of the franchise’s inaugural WNBA season, the team announced Tuesday.

The Hamilton native gives the expansion club an experienced backcourt option with 245 career WNBA games.

“Kia represents everything this franchise stands for,” Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers said in a statement. “She’s a world-class athlete, a proven professional, and someone who has helped grow the game in Canada at every level.”

The 30-year-old Nurse played the 2025 season with the Chicago Sky, appearing in 44 games (18 starts) and averaging 7.2 points while shooting 33.5 per cent from three-point range.

She has also suited up for New York, Phoenix and Seattle, and represented Canada at three Olympic Games and multiple world championships.

Local General Election
Election Officers named for overseeing voting in Vernon
21h ago
Septic System Setbacks
Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream
Apr 10, 2026
Health Care
New maternity care clinic open in Vernon
Apr 10, 2026

“To have the opportunity to play at home, for Canada’s team, means everything to me,” said Nurse. “This country has supported me throughout my career, and being part of the Tempo as the WNBA comes to Canada is incredibly meaningful. I’m proud to represent Canada, will be proud to wear this jersey, and excited to help build something special here.”

Nurse’s signing comes a day after Toronto selected UCLA guard Kiki Rice sixth overall in the WNBA draft, along with Kentucky forward Teonni Key at No. 22, Australian forward Saffron Shiels at No. 26 and Davidson guard Charlise Dunn at No. 36.

The five-foot-11 Rice averaged 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 38 games for the Bruins this season en route to an NCAA championship.

The Tempo also signed 2025 WNBA all-star Brittney Sykes and veteran forward Isabelle Harrison in free agency, ahead of their May 8 opener at Coca-Cola Coliseum against Washington.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2026

The Canadian Press


by The Canadian Press

Other Matters

City Beautification
Vernon Clean Team program expanding into the fall, winter
The crew that is tasked with keeping Vernon beautiful will have some extra work this year.The Downtown Clean Team pilot program sees a pair of city workers tasked with addressing issues raised from the public, such as graffiti and vandalism cleaning, picking up litter, collecting abandoned shopping carts, and handling ...
17h ago
Read More
Community policing
Could you make a difference to local road safety?
Do you think you can help make a difference with safety on our roads?The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) is seeking volunteers to support Community Policing programs in Lake Country, Peachland and West Kelowna. Volunteers work alongside the RCMP to support crime prevention and public safety education.These...
17h ago
Read More
Rehab required
Halaburda out for season after head injury
Kelowna Rockets forward Ty Halaburda will be out for the rest of the season after his head injury in Game 2 in the playoffs at Everett.The Rockets medical staff will oversee his care moving forward, and he is expected to rejoin the team later this month.The Rockets organization thanked Providence Regional Medical Cente...
17h ago
Read More
Local General Election
Election Officers named for overseeing voting in Vernon
The people overseeing the municipal election in Vernon this year have been decided.A report from the City of Vernon said Sue Wood would be appointed as Chief Election Officer, while Cathy Isles would be Deputy Chief Election Officer for the 2026 general local election.Woods is the Director of Corporate Administration f...
21h ago
Read More
Subsurface Road Work
Infrastructure work to close parking lot, road in Enderby
A subsurface investigation and monitoring project will disrupt traffic through Enderby.The city stated the work would be done between April 20 and May 1, excluding weekends, and would cause the parking lot north of city hall to be closed. The smaller lot to the east would remain open during the work.The project would a...
21h ago
Read More
Guiness Record Attempt
Local runner will try to break barefoot run record in Vernon
A local runner will take her sneakers off and attempt to set a new world record in Vernon.Savannah Wild of Kelowna will be trying to break the world record when she runs 50 kilometres barefoot at the Vernon Athletic Park on May 18.Speaking with Vernon Matters, Wild said she had previously done a 500 kilometre run baref...
22h ago
Read More
Cheaper Fares
Kelowna looks to ease transit costs with proposed discount program
Kelowna City council is being asked to advance a plan to make public transit more affordable for low-income residents across the Central Okanagan.The proposal would launch in 2027 and create an Affordable Transit Program offering a 50 per cent discount on select passes for eligible adults, youth and seniors. Eligibilit...
23h ago
Read More
More Rental Housing
Kelowna council to consider six-storey rental project on Glenmore Drive
City council is set to consider a six-storey rental housing development that would add 71 units to Glenmore Drive under the city's Middle Income Housing Partnership program.The proposed project, located at 1232 to 1250 Glenmore Drive, would deliver studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments along with rooftop amen...
Apr 13, 2026
Read More
More Foliage
New trees to be planted at Kin Beach
The park at Okanagan Lake will be getting some new foliage.The City of Vernon was successful in obtaining a grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Government of Canada to be used to plant new trees at Kin Beach Park.In the spring of 2025 the city removed 22 mature poplar trees from Kin Beach Park ...
Apr 13, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Local General Election
Election Officers named for overseeing voting in Vernon
21h ago
Septic System Setbacks
Public hearing to discuss regulations around septic tanks in Coldstream
Apr 10, 2026
Health Care
New maternity care clinic open in Vernon
Apr 10, 2026
Labour Force Stats
Regional unemployment on the rise
Apr 10, 2026
No Public Risk
Death at the Winter Carnival office under investigation
Apr 10, 2026