Despite still being an active player in WNBA, All-Star guard Kristi Toliver is already thinking about the next step in her career. According to multiple reports, Toliver will join the Dallas Mavericks’ coaching staff for the 2021-22 season in the role of an assistant.
Toliver is currently a member of WNBA team the Los Angeles Sparks and is under contract through the 2022 season. She will reportedly continue playing for the Sparks while holding the job with the Mavericks.
Coaching in NBA won’t be a new experience for Toliver. The 34-year-old player already served as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards for two seasons during her time while being a member of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics.
Kristi Toliver started her WNBA career in 2009 after being selected third overall by the Chicago Sky. She was traded to the Sparks for a second-round pick after just one season. In LA, she emerged as one of the better point guards in the league, winning the WNBA Most Improved Player award and helping the team win a title in 2016.
In 2017, Toliver in free agency and signed with the Mystics. She won another WNBA Championship and received two All-Star nods before returning to the Sparks ahead of the 2020 season.
By adding Toliver, Mavericks are continuing the process of revamping their organization. Earlier in the offseason, the team replaced NBA Championship-winning coach Rick Carlisle with Hall of Famer Jason Kidd while bringing in Greg St. Jean and Igor Kokoskov as assistants. Dallas also made changes in the front office, hiring Nico Harrison to oversee basketball operations after long-time general manager Donnie Nelson left the franchise at the end of the 2020-21 NBA Season.
