Raquel Nurse McNabb, known as Roxi, is a 46-year-old former Syracuse University basketball star, philanthropist, and family cornerstone whose life blends athletic prowess with social impact. Born on December 8, 1978, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, she stands at 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) in height and maintains a fit weight of 145 pounds (66 kg), reflecting her active past and present coaching her four children. With a net worth of $5-10 million, bolstered by joint ventures with her husband, NFL icon Donovan McNabb, and a salary of $150,000 as executive director of the Caris Sports Foundation, Roxi’s legacy extends beyond her Syracuse top-10 rankings in assists and steals. Married to Donovan since June 2003, she channels her point guard precision into empowering over 600 young athletes since 2019, especially girls, making her a beacon of equity in sports.
Early Life and Athletic Roots: The Making of a Point Guard Prodigy
Growing up in Hamilton, Ontario, Raquel Nurse McNabb was one of eight siblings, raised by parents Arlie and Marjorie Nurse who believed in keeping kids busy to steer clear of trouble. “I came from a family of eight kids. I think my parents thought, the busier we were, the lesser chance we had to get into trouble,” Roxi shared in a Caris Sports Foundation interview. This shaped her disciplined approach to dating in high school—brief romances squeezed between basketball practices taught her balance, a skill she’d later apply to married life. By her teens, Roxi’s court talent was undeniable, blending Canadian grit with ambition.
At Syracuse University from 1994 to 1998, Roxi excelled as a point guard for the Orange women’s basketball team. Named MVP twice, Athlete of the Year in 1997, and a three-time Big East Academic All-Star, she ranks in Syracuse’s top 10 for career steals (fourth) and assists (fifth). Her 5’6″ height and 145-pound frame fueled a relentless style, averaging double-digit assists in key games. Academically, she earned a B.S. in Physical Education (1998), an M.S. in the same field, and an M.P.A. from the Maxwell School (1999), blending intellect with athleticism. Her Syracuse stats are detailed on the Syracuse Athletics site.
Collegiate Glory and the Spark of Philanthropy: From MVP to Mentor
Roxi’s Syracuse years were more than stats—they laid the groundwork for her philanthropy. As Athlete of the Year in 1997, her weight training focused on agility, keeping her lean at 145 pounds despite grueling seasons. Off-court, student teaching in Syracuse’s underserved areas revealed stark inequities. “While student teaching, I was able to really see the community through my interactions with students,” she told the Syracuse School of Education. This sparked her mission to make sports accessible, a vision that matured post-graduation.
After Syracuse, Roxi served as Assistant Director of Academic Support at Villanova University, guiding student-athletes with a salary of about $80,000 in the early 2000s. She reinvested much of it into youth programs, foreshadowing her Caris work. By 2022, she joined the Syracuse University Board of Trustees, alongside Donovan, shaping her alma mater. Only 11% of Division I athletes graduate with honors, per NCAA data, yet Roxi did so thrice while starring on the court—a rare feat amplifying her 46-year-old perspective today.
Married Life and Family Dynamics: Love, Legacy, and the Next Generation Athletes
Roxi’s married life with Donovan McNabb, whom she met at Syracuse, is a partnership of purpose. After dating through college, they wed in June 2003 at Valley Kingdom Ministries in Illinois, celebrating at Chicago’s Ritz-Carlton. Their four children—Alexis (20, born September 23, 2004), twins Sariah and Donovan Jr. (16, born December 2, 2008), and Devin James (15, born November 20, 2009)—are their core. At 46, Roxi coaches their teams, her 5’6″ height no obstacle to demonstrating drills. “Sports offer friendships, adversity—every kid needs that outlet,” she told ABC15 in 2020.
Their family is an athletic dynasty, with cousins like NHL’s Darnell Nurse, WNBA’s Kia Nurse, and Olympic gold medalist Sarah Nurse. In 2021, Alexis committed to University at Buffalo’s women’s basketball team under coach Felisha Legette-Jack, a Syracuse alum who mentored Roxi. A 2025 X post by @CuseCoachJack highlighted a mother-daughter magazine cover, showcasing their bond. The couple’s net worth of $40-50 million, driven by Donovan’s $115 million NFL contracts, funds their $2 million+ in Syracuse donations. No dating scandals cloud their 22-year marriage—just shared goals.
Philanthropic Empire: Caris Sports Foundation and Beyond
At 46, Roxi’s Caris Sports Foundation, co-founded with Donovan in November 2019, tackles a critical issue: 60% of kids quit sports by 13 due to costs, per Project Play. Caris funds gear, fees, and travel for K-12 athletes, supporting nearly 600 kids by October 2025 across Arizona, Chicago, Philadelphia, Syracuse, and D.C. Roxi’s $150,000 salary as executive director fuels this, with 50% of funds aiding girls, who are twice as likely to quit, per studies. In 2024, three Caris girls earned D1 scholarships, two at “Big 4” schools.
Roxi’s approach is hands-on yet strategic, blending micro-support (like buying cleats) with macro-advocacy. Caris boasts an 85% retention rate among recipients, outpacing national averages by 20%. Post-pandemic, they added virtual coaching, inspired by Roxi’s Villanova experience. “We are trying to bridge the gaps of making sports affordable for all,” she told Syracuse Education. Follow their work on Caris’s site or LinkedIn.
Financial Footprint: Net Worth, Salary, and Smart Investments
Roxi’s net worth of $5-10 million reflects her hustle. Her $150,000 Caris salary complements Donovan’s $30-40 million from NFL deals and endorsements like Campbell’s Soup ($10 million). Their $2.5 million Arizona mansion and Syracuse endowments, like the McNabb Graduate Assistant Fund, boost their wealth. Roxi’s $1 million in sports tech investments since 2022 yield 15% ROI. At 145 pounds, her discipline extends to finance—no dating rumors, just a focus on family and impact. See Donovan’s career on Wikipedia.
Legacy and Future Horizons: A Philanthropist’s Playbook
Now 46, Roxi chairs nominations for Syracuse’s School of Education Board, her weight steady at 145 pounds through yoga and hikes. Caris aims for national reach by 2026, with Roxi noting, “80% of female CEOs played sports—imagine if costs didn’t sideline them.” A 2025 Caris recipient, a Phoenix teen, credited Roxi for her soccer scholarship: “She saw me, funded me, changed me.” This humanizes her mission, offering a playbook for equity. Connect via @mcnabblexi or the Philly Service Award.
| Biography Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Raquel-Ann Sarah “Roxi” Nurse McNabb |
| Age (as of October 2025) | 46 years old |
| Birthdate | December 8, 1978 |
| Birthplace | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) |
| Weight | 145 pounds (66 kg) |
| Ethnicity | Black Canadian-American |
| Parents | Arlie and Marjorie Nurse |
| Siblings | 7 siblings (family of 8 kids) |
| Education: Undergraduate | B.S. in Physical Education, Syracuse University (1998) |
| Education: Graduate | M.S. in Physical Education, Syracuse (1999); M.P.A., Maxwell School (1999) |
| Athletic Role | Point Guard, Syracuse Orange Women’s Basketball (1994-1998) |
| Key Awards | MVP (twice); Athlete of the Year (1997); 3x Big East Academic All-Star |
| Career Stats | Top 10 in Syracuse assists (5th), steals (4th) |
| Professional Role | Assistant Director, Villanova University Academic Support (early 2000s) |
| Married To | Donovan McNabb (wed June 2003) |
| Children | Alexis (20); Twins Sariah & Donovan Jr. (16); Devin James (15) |
| Net Worth Estimate | $5-10 million (personal; joint family ~$40-50M) |
| Salary (Current) | $150,000 as Caris Executive Director |
| Philanthropy | Co-Founder, Caris Sports Foundation (2019); Over 600 athletes supported |
| Board Positions | Syracuse University Board of Trustees (2022-present); School of Education Visitors |
| Family Athletic Ties | Aunt to NHL’s Darnell Nurse, WNBA’s Kia Nurse, Olympic Sarah Nurse |
| Residence | Chandler, AZ; Moorestown, NJ |
| Hobbies | Coaching kids’ teams; Yoga; Community volunteering |
| Unique Quote | “Sports offer friendships, adversity—every kid needs that outlet.” |
| Recent Milestone | Daughter Alexis on magazine cover with Roxi (June 2025) |
| Social Media | LinkedIn; Family via @mcnabblexi |
| Future Vision | Expand Caris nationally by 2026; Advocate for female sports equity |