University of Connecticut Athletics
Edwards, Nurse Named to Canadian Olympic Team
6/29/2021 8:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
TORONTO – UConn women's basketball sophomore Aaliyah Edwards and alumna Kia Nurse were named to the Canada women's basketball roster for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
In her first season in Storrs in 2020-21, Edwards was named the BIG EAST Sixth-Woman of the Year and to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team. She averaged 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in her freshman year. Edwards represented Canada at the AmeriCup earlier this month. She is the youngest player on Canada's roster.
A 2018 graduate of UConn, Nurse is one of six Canadians with previous Olympic experience as she competed at the Rio 2016 games. She is currently a starter for the Phoenix Mercury and is averaging 10.3 points per game this season.
Canada qualified for Tokyo 2020 after going undefeated at one of four FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Ostend, Belgium in February 2020.Â
Canada is currently ranked a program-high fourth in the FIBA World Rankings and recently competed in the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2021 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
UConn women's basketball will be well represented in Tokyo. Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi were selected to the U.S. National Team while Stefanie Dolson and Katie Lou Samuelson were named to the U.S. 3x3 Team.
