2018 WNBA Draft Big Board v. 6.0: Azura Stevens shakes up the board

9. Connecticut Sun: Kia Nurse 6′ G Connecticut

Here’s what Geno Auriemma had to say about Gabby Williams and Kia Nurse during the Regionals in Albany: “We’re fortunate that our two seniors are two of the better defensive players in the country, you know. So when we have really good match-ups for them and we have a pretty good understanding of what we want to do — you know, we know we can count on those two every game. Gabby is going to play great every game. I say that, and we have a game Monday night. But she plays at a certain level every big game, and Kia is just one of the toughest competitors that we’ve ever had at Connecticut.”

And what’s interesting to me is that this is undoubtedly true, but: Kia Nurse has skills that extend well beyond a glue guy persona. She shot 44.9 percent from three this year, and that’s in line with her career rates, after shooting 46.2 percent last season. She can create her own shot. She’s got good size for a WNBA 2. She can handle point guard duties when necessary, with an assist percentage of 18.7 last year.

And though it got lost in the ultimate outcome, that Kia Nurse steal late in regulation against Notre Dame was vintage Kia: the necessary, smart play, anticipating, helping her team at the critical juncture.