Nick Nurse and his wife, Roberta Santos’ love story began in 2012 and grew with the birth of sons Leo and Rocky Levi.
Born on July 24, 1967, Nurse developed his basketball acumen at the University of Northern Iowa, where he still holds the school record for three-point shooting percentage at .468.
His coaching career began early – at just 23 years old, he became the youngest college basketball head coach in the country at Grand View University.
Nurse’s path to the NBA took him through the British Basketball League, where he claimed two championships and earned Coach of the Year honors twice, and the NBA D-League (now G-League), where he secured championships with two different teams – a unique achievement in the league’s history.
His breakthrough moment came with the Raptors, where he transformed from an assistant coach focused on offensive strategy to the head coach.
He led the franchise to its first NBA championship in 2019.
Under his leadership, the Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors, ending their dynasty and marking a historic moment in Canadian basketball.
His innovative coaching style and ability to maximize player potential earned him the NBA Coach of the Year award in 2020.
After his tenure with the Raptors concluded in 2023, Nurse took the helm of the Philadelphia 76ers, where he continues to implement his creative coaching philosophy.
From Volleyball Star to Entrepreneur, Roberta Santos Builds a Life Beyond the Court
Roberta Santos, who became Mrs. Nurse in 2015, brings her own impressive athletic background to their partnership.
Born in Recife, Brazil, in 1985, Roberta built a remarkable volleyball career in the States.
Her collegiate journey began at Hutchinson Community College, where she set a school record with 1,608 assists and earned multiple honors, including Second Team All-American recognition.
At Florida Gulf Coast University, where she studied resort and hospitality management, Santos continued to excel, earning First Team All-Atlantic Sun honors and collecting MVP awards in various tournaments.
The couple’s shared understanding of competitive sports has strengthened their relationship since they first met in 2012.
Their family expanded with the birth of their sons Leo in 2017 and Rocky Levi in 2019.
Despite the demands of Nick’s coaching career, Roberta has maintained her own professional path, transitioning from volleyball coaching to entrepreneurship in Des Moines, Iowa.
Her coaching experience, including roles at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Winthrop University, gives her unique insight into the challenges of her husband’s profession.
Their partnership has weathered significant moments, both triumphant and challenging.
Roberta stood by Nick’s side during the Raptors‘ historic 2019 championship run, which coincided with the loss of his mother, Marcella Nurse.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the family adapted to life in Toronto, though Roberta occasionally returned to Florida to connect with her former volleyball teammates.
Currently residing in Philadelphia, Roberta maintains a balance between supporting her husband’s coaching career, raising their sons, and pursuing her own entrepreneurial ventures.
Her Instagram bio succinctly captures her multifaceted life: “Former Volleyball Athlete and Coach, Boy mom, Wife, Fitness Enthusiast, Sports Fan, Travel Lover.“
In Case You Didn’t Know
- While at the University of Northern Iowa, he was teammates with current Division I college coach Greg McDermott, and in his final year, he served as the sole student assistant coach during their successful 1989-90 season.
- In his six seasons coaching in the D-League, he had 23 players from his rosters called up to the NBA, demonstrating his ability to develop talent.
- He has international coaching experience, serving as an assistant coach for the Great Britain national team from 2009 to 2012, including during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and later as head coach of the Canadian men’s national team until 2023.
