Kiana Morales

Intro Kiana Morales was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, growing up just a few miles from where the Solstice would one day call home. The youngest of three siblings, Kiana grew up in a tight-knit Puerto Rican-American family that emphasized the importance of perseverance and hard work. Her father, a high school basketball coach, introduced her to the sport at a young age, but it didn’t come easy at first. Standing at only 5’4", Kiana often struggled to match the physicality of taller players on the court. However, her quickness, relentless determination, and sharp mind soon made her stand out. She spent hours perfecting her ball-handling skills and shooting techniques at the local rec center, earning her the nickname "Nova" from her teammates for her explosive speed and her ability to shine during clutch moments. Kiana’s dream of joining the WNBA hit a roadblock when she went undrafted. Scouts praised her skillset and leadership but raised concerns about her height and how it might limit her ability to compete at the professional level. Devastated but undeterred, Kiana turned her focus overseas, playing briefly in Spain’s Liga Femenina de Baloncesto. She was one of the first players signed by the Charlotte Solstice, and the opportunity to represent her hometown was a dream come true. Eager to prove herself, she embraced the pressure of being the team’s starting point guard. For Kiana, the Solstice isn’t just a team—it’s a symbol of hope for all the overlooked athletes who refuse to let their size or circumstances define their potential.