{"id":138099,"date":"2025-08-11T22:53:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T22:53:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/138099\/"},"modified":"2025-08-11T22:53:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T22:53:13","slug":"skys-maddy-westbeld-elizabeth-williams-and-kia-nurse-share-common-path-with-pro-athlete-siblings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/138099\/","title":{"rendered":"Sky’s Maddy Westbeld, Elizabeth Williams and Kia Nurse share common path with pro athlete siblings"},"content":{"rendered":"

With so many Sky<\/a> players hailing from athletic families, the Sun-Times set out to uncover a sibling rivalry. Instead, we found stories of mutual support from Maddy Westbeld, Elizabeth Williams, and Kia Nurse \u2014 admittedly less spicy, but just as satisfying.<\/p>\n

Maddy and Kathryn Westbeld (Sky\/Phoenix Mercury)<\/p>\n

Maddy and Kathryn Westbeld are both making their WNBA debut this season \u2014 Maddy as the Sky\u2019s No. 16 draft pick<\/a> and Kathryn as a 29-year-old \u201crookie\u201d for the Mercury.<\/p>\n

Maddy believes the six-year age gap between the sisters lets them appreciate each other\u2019s games rather than feel threatened by them.<\/p>\n

She sees how Kathryn, who played abroad for six years, brings a European-style finesse to the game. She always uses her quickness in the post to her advantage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was telling [teammate Kamilla Cardoso] before we played, don\u2019t dribble in front of my sister, because she\u2019s gonna steal it every time,\u201d Westbeld told the Sun-Times.<\/p>\n

But when Kathryn picked up Maddy in the second quarter of last week\u2019s game, she didn\u2019t follow her own advice. She drove to the basket and sank a fadeaway jumper right in her sister\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt great, I\u2019m not gonna lie,\u201d Maddy said.<\/p>\n

The Westbelds learned the game from their dad Jim, who praised Maddy\u2019s athleticism and Kathryn\u2019s laser-focus. Jim often joked that Maddy was \u201cpicking daisies,\u201d a comment Maddy took as a challenge. She now meditates daily to \u201cliterally focus on focus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elizabeth and Mark Williams (Sky\/Phoenix Suns)<\/b><\/p>\n

A top-10 shot blocker in WNBA history, Elizabeth Williams is helping develop the Sky\u2019s young frontcourt, which includes Westbeld, Cardoso and Angel Reese.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s also mentoring her younger brother, Mark, a 23-year-old center for the Phoenix Suns. Elizabeth sees Mark\u2019s style as a reflection of his laid-back personality.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s pretty chill, but he can also turn it on when he really likes something,\u201d Williams told the Sun-Times. \u201cWhen he gets a couple big dunks, all of a sudden you start to see his personality jump out.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a 10-year vet, Elizabeth offers Mark advice on areas where he can improve, but she\u2019s careful not to overdo it. Their parents are always watching games too, and though neither played basketball, mom Margaret is increasingly chiming in.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s shifted from being a fan and cheering for us to being like, \u2018I think your coach should have made a sub at this time,\u2019\u201d Williams said, laughing.<\/p>\n

Kia and Darnell Nurse (Sky\/Edmonton Oilers)<\/b><\/p>\n

Kia and Darnell Nurse are only a year apart, but the difference in their sports \u2014 Darnell is a defenseman for the NHL\u2019s Edmonton Oilers \u2014 gives them space. Kia credits Darnell for helping her adjust to pro sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can go to him and speak to some of the things that athletes go through as humans that the outside world doesn\u2019t necessarily understand or sympathize with,\u201d Nurse told the Sun-Times.<\/p>\n

That includes navigating contract negotiations, trades, and the investment required to take care of your body.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor my birthday, he always buys me a recovery modality,\u201d Nurse said.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a classic Nurse family move. Both parents played at a high level, and Kia\u2019s older sister was one of the first Canadian athletes to receive an NCAA basketball scholarship. With that blueprint in place, Kia went on to win back-to-back national championships at UConn. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Chicago<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Fever dominated the Sky in their fourth meeting. They\u2019ve adapted to missing Clark, while the Sky dropped to 1-8 since the All-Star break. <\/p>\n

[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]
\n \u00a0\n <\/p>\n

read<\/p>\n

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\"Sky<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Sky have dealt with more point-guard injuries than any other team this season. But if you feel sorry for them, you have to feel sorry for the point-guard-less Fever, too. <\/p>\n

[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]
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read<\/p>\n

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\"Atlanta<\/p>\n

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The Sky have rediscovered their will to compete, which they had lost during an extended losing streak. But they still struggle with second-half adjustments. <\/p>\n

[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]
\n \u00a0\n <\/p>\n

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