TORONTO — Kia Nurse, who led Canada to a historic basketball gold medal, will carry the country's flag into the closing ceremonies of the Pan American Games.
The 19-year-old from Hamilton exploded for 33 points in the Canadian women's thrilling 81-73 victory over the United States — the first basketball gold medal for Canada in any major international Games.
After the victory, Nurse credited her athletic family for her big-game poise.
Her brother is Edmonton Oilers prospect Darnell Nurse. Her dad Richard was a wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while her mom Kathy played basketball at McMaster University.
Her uncle is NFL legend Donovan McNabb.
The Canadian women went undefeated through the Pan Am Games tournament, recording wins over Venezuela, Argentina and Cuba, before knocking off Brazil in the semifinal before their gold-medal win.
They now head to Edmonton, where they open the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament on Aug. 9.
Boxer Mary Spencer carried Canada's flag into the closing four years ago in Guadalajara, Mexico.
