STORRS (NCAA/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Canada coach Lisa Thomaidis already knew her point guard at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship for Women was a special talent.
Kia Nurse, 17, not only made the squad but averaged 24 minutes per game.
The promise of the Hamilton, Ontario, native has been reconfirmed this week with the announcement that Nurse has signed a letter of intent to play at American college basketball powerhouse Connecticut.
As a Husky, Nurse will learn from the best, the long-time UConn boss Geno Auriemma.
Auriemma is also the coach of the United States women's national team.
He led the American squad to gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women and the 2012 Olympics.
"We know UConn is going to put her in the best position she can be, and by virtue of that, it will help the Canadian national program be the best we can be," Thomaidis said.
"We are excited for her. We are ecstatic for her."
Averaging 10 points per game, Nurse helped Canada to a runners-up finish at the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship in Xalapa, Mexico.
Auriemma attended the tournament and watched Nurse play.
The 1.75m guard is one of four players to sign national letters of intent to play at UConn.
The others are Sadie Edwards, Courtney Ekmark and Gabby Williams.
Thomaidis says that Nurse is well grounded.
In an interview with the Hartford Courant, she praised the youngster's attitude.
"She is very driven, very focused," she said.
"She doesn't allow herself to get caught up in the hype that surrounds her.
"She has many goals, individually and for her team. That's her priority. She considers all of the other things peripheral. She is a fierce, fierce competitor."
Canada fell to Auriemma's United States in the Quarter-Finals at the 2012 Olympics.
With the coach agreeing to remain in charge for another four-year Olympic cycle, there is the possibility that Nurse could end up playing for Canada in games against Auriemma's American squad at next year's FIBA World Championship in Turkey, and at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
FIBA
