Kristi Toliver

Kristi Toliver
No. 20 – Washington Mystics
Position Point guard / Shooting guard
League WNBA
Personal information
Born (1987-01-27) January 27, 1987
Harrisonburg, Virginia[1]
Nationality American / Slovak
Listed height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Listed weight 130 lb (59 kg)
Career information
High school Harrisonburg (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
College Maryland (2005–2009)
WNBA draft 2009 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3rd overall
Selected by the Chicago Sky
Playing career 2009–present
Career history
2009 Chicago Sky
2009–2010 Raanana Hertzeliya
2010 MKB Euroleasing Sopron
2010–2016 Los Angeles Sparks
2010–2011 Samsun Canik Belediyesi
2011–2014 Dynamo Moscow
2014–2018 UMMC Ekaterinburg
2017–present Washington Mystics
Career highlights and awards
Stats at WNBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Kristi Renee Toliver (born January 27, 1987) is an American-Slovak professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Toliver was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States and possesses a dual American-Slovak citizenzhip.[2] She is the daughter of former NBA referee, George Toliver and Peggy Toliver. During her rookie season in the WNBA, Toliver signed an endorsement deal with Nike.[3]

High school

Toliver attended Harrisonburg High School, where she graduated from in 2005. Toliver received many accolades during her high school basketball career, including being honored as a McDonald's All-American, Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-American, Parade All-American, EA Sports All-American, and USA Today All-USA Basketball Team member. In addition, she was named Virginia State Gatorade Player of the Year and Virginia Ms. Basketball. She participated in the 2005 WBCA High School All-America Game[4] and 2005 McDonald's All-American Game.

College

A standout player from the University of Maryland, Toliver was known for her ability to perform under pressure. In the 2006 National Championship game, Toliver, then a freshman, hit a game-tying three-pointer with only seconds remaining to force overtime against favored Duke, leading to a Maryland win and the school's first national championship in women's basketball.[5]

Statistics

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2005–06 Maryland 332428.8.407.404.8912.64.40.70.211.6
2006–07 Maryland 343226.7.490.447.8772.44.71.10.112.3
2007–08 Maryland 373734.4.444.371.8603.47.41.50.117.1
2008–09 Maryland 353535.1.449.416.8573.24.91.30.318.4
Career 13912831.4.447.408.8662.95.41.10.215.0

WNBA career

Toliver during the 2017 WNBA Semifinals

In the 2009 WNBA draft, the Chicago Sky selected point guard Kristi Toliver with the 3rd pick.[6] In her rookie season with the Sky, Toliver came off the bench averaging 7.6 points per game in 27 games and was also ranked second in the league in three-point shooting.[7]

Toliver was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks just before the start of the 2010 season in exchange for a 2011 second round draft pick.[8]

In her first season with the Sparks, Toliver was the back-up point guard on the roster behind Ticha Penicheiro who was the starting point guard. She averaged 8.6 points per game in 34 games.

In the 2012 season with the departure of Penicheiro, Toliver became the starting point guard for the Sparks and had a breakout season. In the month of May, Toliver hit a game winning 3-pointer at the buzzer against the Tulsa Shock.[9] She was the Western Conference Player of the Month for August, averaged a career-high 17.5 points per game throughout the year, was ranked 9th in three-point field goal percentage, was named to the All-WNBA Second Team and won the WNBA Most Improved Player Award. Her stellar offensive performance would continue into the playoffs, where she averaged 20 points per game in 4 games, but the Sparks were eliminated in a 2-game sweep by the Minnesota Lynx in the Conference Finals.

In 2013, Toliver re-signed with the Sparks to a multi-year deal once her rookie contract with the Sky expired.[10] With the acquisition of Lindsey Harding, Toliver was the starting shooting guard for the Sparks. During the season, Toliver was named a WNBA All-Star for the first time in her career, while averaging 14.1 points per game in all 34 games.

Toliver attempts a steal from Lindsay Whalen in 2017

During the 2015 season, Toliver was assigned back to the point guard position after the waiving of Harding. In a regular season game win against the Tulsa Shock, Toliver set a Sparks scoring franchise record with 43 points, surpassing Lisa Leslie's 41 points. She finished the season averaging 12.4 points per game.

In the 2016 season, the Sparks finished 26-8 with the number 2 seed in the league with a new playoff format put in place, in which they received a double-bye to the semi-finals (the last round before the WNBA Finals) where they defeated the Chicago Sky 3-1. Toliver was ranked 4th in three-point field goal percentage while averaging 13.2 points per game during the regular season. On June 24, 2016, Toliver scored a season-high 25 points along with 7 three-pointers in a regular season game win against the Minnesota Lynx.[11] With a supporting cast of Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike, Toliver won her first WNBA championship with the Sparks as they defeated the Minnesota Lynx 3-2 in the Finals.

Toliver is currently the Sparks franchise leader in three-point field goal percentage and free-throw percentage.[12]

In February 2017, Toliver signed with the Washington Mystics in free agency.[13] On May 14, 2017, Toliver made her debut for the Mystics, scoring 8 points along with 4 assists in a 89-74 victory over the San Antonio Stars.[14] On July 19, 2017, with Tayler Hill and Elena Delle Donne sidelined with injuries, Toliver scored a season-high 29 points while draining 7 three-pointers in a 100-96 overtime win against the Atlanta Dream after coming back from a 21-point deficit.[15] The Mystics secured a playoff berth as the number 6 seed in the league with an 18-16 record. In the first round elimination game, the Mystics defeated the Dallas Wings 86-76 advancing to the second round elimination game, Toliver scored 16 points.[16] In the second round elimination game, the Mystics would advance to the semi-finals after defeating the number 3-seeded New York Liberty, 82-68, making it the first time in franchise history where the Mystics have advanced past the second round. Toliver scored 32 points in the win while scoring 17 of them in the third quarter and made a WNBA-record 9 three-pointers.[17] In the semi-finals, the Mystics would be defeated by the Minnesota Lynx in a 3-game sweep.

On May 30, 2018, Toliver scored a season-high 30 points in a 103-95 victory against the Phoenix Mercury.[18] Later on in the 2018 season, Toliver was voted into the 2018 WNBA All-Star Game, making it her second all-star appearance. Toliver finished off the season with 13.9 points per game with career-highs in free throw shooting and minutes. The Mystics finished as the number three seed in the league with a 22-12 record, receiving a bye to the second round elimination game. They would defeat the Los Angeles Sparks 96-64, advancing to the semi-finals for the second year in a row. In the semi-finals, they would defeat the Atlanta Dream in five games, advancing to the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. However, the Mystics would get swept in the Finals against the Seattle Storm.

Overseas career

Toliver playing in Moscow, 2013

In the 2009-10 off-season, Toliver spent the first portion of the off-season in Israel playing for Raanana Hertzeliya.[19] In the second portion of the off-season, Toliver played in Hungary for MKB Euroleasing Sopron. In the 2010-11 off-season, Toliver played in Turkey for Samsun Canik Belediyesi. From 2011-2014, Toliver played three off-seasons in Russia for Dynamo Moscow, winning back-to-back championships with the team in 2013 and 2014. From 2014-2016, Toliver has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia for two off-seasons and had won back-to-back championships with the team in 2015 and 2016. Toliver played with teammate, Candace Parker in her first-offseason with the team. As of August 2016, Toliver had re-signed with UMMC Ekaterinburg for the 2016-17 off-season and won a third consecutive championship.[20] In 2017, Toliver re-signed again with UMMC Ekaterinburg for the 2017-18 off-season.

International

Toliver was a member of the Slovakian women's national basketball team in the EuroBasket Women 2015 qualification tournament in 2014 after receiving her Slovak citizenship.[21][22][23][24] The team finished first place in Group A to qualify for the EuroBasket Women 2015 tournament, where they finished 9th place with a 3-4 record, missing out on a spot in the Olympic qualifying tournament for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

WNBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career high League leader
† Denotes seasons in which Toliver won a WNBA championship

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2009 Chicago 27014.3.453.444.9131.41.90.40.11.67.6
2010 Los Angeles 34020.7.438.349.8152.21.30.60.11.48.6
2011 Los Angeles 321723.6.423.427.9071.92.90.70.02.011.2
2012 Los Angeles 343331.5.491.424.9013.24.91.30.13.617.5
2013 Los Angeles 343430.0.457.383.8312.63.41.30.11.914.1
2014 Los Angeles 272128.5.442.393.8432.14.11.10.01.711.8
2015 Los Angeles 282830.9.449.384.9032.33.70.80.02.212.4
2016† Los Angeles 333332.1.426.424.8892.63.70.80.01.313.2
2017 Washington 343429.1.407.338.8672.03.40.60.21.811.9
2018 Washington 333333.0.433.360.9182.34.41.20.02.113.9
Career 10 years, 3 teams 31623727.5.443.389.8822.33.40.90.02.012.3

Postseason

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2010 Los Angeles 2022.5.545.6001.0000.04.00.50.03.08.0
2012 Los Angeles 4434.3.527.417.8503.01.80.80.23.720.0
2013 Los Angeles 3330.3.289.0631.0004.03.02.00.31.610.7
2014 Los Angeles 2232.5.409.111.6671.56.50.50.02.010.5
2015 Los Angeles 3329.5.367.385.7501.73.01.00.02.310.0
2016† Los Angeles 9932.3.405.414.8522.03.01.40.11.412.8
2017 Washington 5531.9.375.4051.0002.44.20.80.42.417.8
2018 Washington 9936.7.388.234.8422.64.41.10.02.313.9
Career 8 years, 2 teams 373532.6.400.324.8682.33.61.10.12.213.7

Honors

Notes

  1. ↑ "Kristi Toliver - Washington Mystics - Women's National Basketball Association - Yahoo! Sports". Yahoo Sports.
  2. ↑ "Kristi Toliver's career speaks volumes about life as a women's basketball player - The Washington Post". Women's Basketball DAILY.
  3. ↑ Powell, Camille (June 20, 2009). "Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver Adjust to WNBA Life" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  4. ↑ "WBCA High School All-America Game Box Scores". Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014. Retrieved 29 Jun 2014.
  5. ↑ "Maryland Rallies Past Duke In OT, 78–75". Retrieved July 6, 2009.
  6. ↑ "WNBA.com: Maryland Backcourt Mates Go Back-to-Back". www.wnba.com.
  7. ↑ 2009 3-PT League Leaders Stats
  8. ↑ "Kristi Toliver's Father-Daughter 'Basketball Connection' Still Evolving With Her WNBA Career".
  9. ↑ "L.A. Sparks 76, Tulsa Shock 75: The Value Of Rookie Riquna Williams' Ability To Create Her Own Shots".
  10. ↑ "SPARKS: Sparks Sign Kristi Toliver To Multi-Year Contract". www.wnba.com.
  11. ↑ "06/24/16: Los Angeles Sparks @ Minnesota Lynx - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA".
  12. ↑ "Kristi Toliver - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA".
  13. ↑ "Mystics sign Kristi Toliver, pick up another 3-point shooter - TheRecord.com". February 7, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Delle Donne has 24 in Mystics debut, 89-74 win over Stars".
  15. ↑ Wallace, Ava (July 19, 2017). "Kristi Toliver lets fly and Washington Mystics make huge rally to beat Atlanta Dream" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  16. ↑ "09/06/17: Dallas Wings @ Washington Mystics - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA".
  17. ↑ "Hometown Hero: Kristi Toliver's Record Performance Guides Mystics to Semifinals - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA".
  18. ↑ Toliver, Mystics hand Mercury 3rd straight loss
  19. ↑ "Safsal, Information, Statistics and daily news about the all the Israeli Basketball Players, Teams and Leagues". www.safsal.co.il.
  20. ↑ "2016-2017 WNBA Overseas Signings - Women's Basketball 24.7". August 22, 2016.
  21. ↑ "5 Reasons to Watch in 2015: Los Angeles Sparks - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA".
  22. ↑ "Slovakian Basketball, Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings - eurobasket News".
  23. ↑ Sheinin, Dave (August 1, 2014). "Kristi Toliver's career speaks volumes about life as a women's basketball player" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  24. ↑ Writer, DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball. "Sparks return home after winning road trip".
  25. ↑ http://www.theacc.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/030809aab.html
  26. ↑ Camille, Powell. The Washington Post. March 6, 2009.http://voices.washingtonpost.com/terrapins-insider/2009/03/kristi_toliver_named_acc_playe.html
  27. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/102208aab.html
  28. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/081806aaa.html
  29. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/081507aaa.html
  30. ↑ http://www.wbca.org/releases/200809SFWTWadeWatch.htm
  31. ↑ https://www.ncaa.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/032608aaz.html
  32. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/032409aad.html
  33. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/121106aaa.html
  34. ↑ http://www.naismithawards.com/PRESSBOXRELEASES121807WatchList/tabid/70/Default.aspx
  35. ↑ http://www.naismithawards.com/PressBox/PressReleases/12192008CollegeWomenWatchList/tabid/95/Default.aspx
  36. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/013008aaa.html
  37. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/022509aaa.html
  38. ↑ http://www.theacc.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/110107aaa.html
  39. ↑ "John R Wooden Award".
  40. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/013108aaa.html
  41. ↑ "John R Wooden Award".
  42. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/031008aad.html
  43. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/031309aac.html
  44. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/040508aaa.html
  45. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/040409aaa.html
  46. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/040208aaa.html
  47. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/033109aaa.html
  48. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/110508aaa.html
  49. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/040308aaa.html
  50. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/040109aab.html
  51. ↑ "Paris, Moore make Wooden All-American team". ESPN.com. April 2, 2009.
  52. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/031008aaa.html
  53. ↑ "ESPN.com: Parker is POY, headlines All-America teams". ESPN.com. March 14, 2008.
  54. ↑ "UConn's Moore is ESPN.com's player of the year". ESPN.com. March 12, 2009.
  55. ↑ http://www.cbssports.com/ncaawbasketball/story/10060437
  56. ↑ "OKLAHOMA CENTER COURTNEY PARIS WINS 2008-09 WOMEN'S BASKETBALL LOWE'S SENIOR CLASS AWARD - Senior CLASS Award". www.seniorclassaward.com.
  57. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/020509aaa.html
  58. ↑ "Toliver named the 2008 Nancy Lieberman Award Top Point Guard". April 5, 2008. Retrieved November 27, 2008.
  59. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/022007aac.html
  60. ↑ http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/021408aaa.html
  61. ↑ http://www.pointguard.org/press2009.htm
  62. ↑ http://www.theacc.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/030308aac.html
  63. ↑ http://www.theacc.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/030209aab.html
  64. ↑ http://www.theacc.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/022607aai.html
  65. 1 2 http://www.umterps.com/sports/w-baskbl/recaps/111807aab.html
  66. ↑ http://www.theacc.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/022806aap.html
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