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

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

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Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers pointed to Nurse’s impact on the sport in Canada, saying she has helped grow the game “at every level.”

Her arrival comes as the WNBA expands into Canada for the first time as part of its growth to 15 teams, with the Portland Fire also set to join the league.

“I think it’s so incredible that we’re going to continue to grow basketball here in Canada together,” Nurse said. “This next generation, especially our young women, get to see what they can truly be.”

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 centre Temi Fágbénlé on Tuesday as the expansion club continues to build its roster.

The six-foot-four Fágbénlé started 38 of 39 games last season for the expansion Golden State Valkyries, averaging 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting over 50 per cent from the field.

“Temi brings consistency and toughness to everything she does,” said Wright Rogers. “She plays the game the right way — defending, rebounding, finishing around the rim and doing the work that impacts winning.”

Fágbénlé has appeared in 130 WNBA games and won a championship with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017.

Born in Baltimore and raised in London, she represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics.

The Tempo previously signed 2025 WNBA all-star Brittney Sykes and veteran forward Isabelle Harrison in free agency, ahead of the team’s May 8 opener at Coca-Cola Coliseum against the visiting Washington Mystics.

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

The Canadian Press