Former Uconn standout Nurse signs with Storm
Former Uconn women’s basketball star and WNBA free-agent guard Kia Nurse has signed with the Seattle Storm, the team announced in a release Friday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, according to the release.
“Kia is a talented, versatile guard and a proven impact player and competitor in our league,” Storm general manager Talisa Rhea said in the release.
“She brings valuable experience as a leader of Team Canada on the international stage, and we look forward to the positive impact she will have on our team here in Seattle.”
Nurse, who was drafted No. 10 overall by the New York Liberty in 2018 after leading Huskies to backto-back championships in 2015 and ’16, is entering her sixth year in the WNBA. She spent her first three seasons with the Liberty before being traded to Phoenix in 2021.
In four seasons she has averaged 11.0 points, two assists, 2.8 rebounds and 0.6 steals per game in 121 games overall.
Nurse had her best WNBA season in 2019, when she averaged 13.7 points, 2.3 assists and 0.7 steals per game — all career highs — and was voted as a starter to the WNBA All-star Game.
“I am so excited to join the Seattle Storm family. This is a top-tier organization with an incredible fan base and history of success,” said Nurse. “I can’t wait to get to work with my new teammates and coaches and immerse myself in the community.”
Nurse sat out the 2022 WNBA season after suffering an ACL injury in Game 4 of the 2021 WNBA semifinals. During the 2022 World Cup in October she averaged 11 points on 41.3% shooting and 35.3% from 3-point range to help Canada to a fourth-place finish.
“After coaching Kia with Canada Basketball and watching her development in our league, I’m so excited for the opportunity to coach Kia again, here in Seattle with the Storm,” said Storm coach Noelle Quinn, who served as an assistant coach with the Canadian national team. “
She is a special player that will elevate what we are trying to do on both sides of the ball.”
Sun re-sign Hiedeman to 2-year deal
Four-year Connecticut Sun guard Natisha Hiedeman
signed a new two-year deal to remain with the organization, according to a team release Friday. The terms were not disclosed.
“We are super excited to re-sign Natisha,” said Sun general manager Darius Taylor. “She has been a core piece to our organization’s recent success.
“We look forward to her flourishing under Coach [Stephanie] White and her staff.”
Hiedeman averaged a career-best 9.1 points, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 2022 after moving into the Sun’s starting lineup five games into the season and helped lead the team to its fourth WNBA Finals appearance and second in four years.
Hiedeman currently sits at 10th all time in 3-point field goals made in Connecticut Sun history (156), as well as 12th all time in scoring (174) and eighth all time in assists (62).
Hiedeman is currently playing overseas with Israeli League club Maccabi Bnot Ashdod and averaging 14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and six assists.
Sparks add former Uconn star Stevens
The Los Angeles Sparks signed former Uconn star Azurá Stevens after WNBA stints in Dallas and Chicago, according to a team release Friday.
“I am beyond excited to be joining the Los Angeles Sparks,” said Stevens. “The plan that KB [GM Karen Bryant] and [Coach] Curt [Miller] are putting together for this team and organization is special and
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it. I can’t wait to get to LA and get to work!”
Stevens is entering her sixth season in the league. In the past five seasons she has averaged nine points, 4.4 rebounds and one block in 121 games.
She was selected as the No. 6 overall pick out of Uconn in the 2018 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wing, where she spent two seasons and was named to the 2018 ALL-WNBA Rookie team.
In three seasons with the Chicago Sky she averaged 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.1. blocks in 78 games and helped lead the Sky to the WNBA championship in 2021.
“Z is a rising star in our league and a tremendous teammate,” said Miller. “At 6-foot-6, she has outstanding versatility to play effectively on the inside and on the perimeter.
“She is a fantastic addition to the Sparks.”