Introduction to Sky’s Pro Athlete Siblings
With so many Sky 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—admittedly less spicy, but just as satisfying.
Maddy and Kathryn Westbeld
Maddy and Kathryn Westbeld are both making their WNBA debut in the same year—Maddy as the Sky’s No. 16 draft pick and Kathryn as a 29-year-old “rookie” for the Mercury. Maddy believes the six-year age gap between the sisters lets them appreciate each other’s games rather than feel threatened by them. She sees how Kathryn, who played abroad for years, brings a European-style finesse to the game. She always uses her quickness in the post to her advantage.
Elizabeth and Mark Williams
A top-10 shot blocker in WNBA history, Elizabeth Williams is helping develop the Sky’s young frontcourt, which includes Westbeld, Angel Reese, and Kamilla Cardoso. She’s also mentoring her younger brother, Mark, a 23-year-old center for the Phoenix Suns. Elizabeth sees Mark’s style as a reflection of his laid-back personality. “He’s pretty chill, but he can also turn it on when he really likes something,” Williams told the Sun-Times. “When he gets a couple big dunks, all of a sudden you start to see his personality jump out.”
Kia and Darnell Nurse
Kia and Darnell Nurse are only a year apart, but the difference in their sports—Darnell is a defenseman for the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers—gives them space. Kia credits Darnell for helping her adjust to pro sports. “I can go to him and speak to some of the things that athletes go through as humans that the outside world doesn’t necessarily understand or sympathize with,” Nurse told the Sun-Times. That includes navigating contract negotiations, trades, and the investment required to take care of your body.
Challenges and Triumphs
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. The Fever dominated the Sky in their fourth meeting. They’ve adapted to missing Clark, while the Sky dropped to 1-8 since the All-Star break.
Conclusion
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. Despite the challenges, the support and camaraderie among the siblings of Sky players, such as Maddy Westbeld, Elizabeth Williams, and Kia Nurse, are a testament to the strength of family bonds in professional sports.
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