Chicago's newest point guard an old pro
The daughter of a longtime NBA referee, Kristi Toliver has long been dialed in to the pro basketball way of life.
So much so, in fact, that she saw herself ultimately being a part of it.
"I grew up a Chicago Bulls fan. Back then I think pretty much everyone did, no matter where you lived," said Toliver, a 22-year-old native of Virginia. "I love John Paxson. And B.J. Armstrong is my favorite. My intention was always to be a point guard for the Chicago Bulls."
Turns out, Toliver isn't going to be too far off.
She'll be a professional point guard in Chicago all right. Only, the University of Maryland star will be running the show for the Chicago Sky.
Toliver was selected by the Sky in the first round of Thursday's 2009 WNBA draft, the third pick overall.
"When I found out I was going to the Sky, I was like, 'That's the next best thing,'" Toliver said. "I also have a lot of family in the Midwest, in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. So I'm ecstatic right now. This is great for me."
Toliver should be great for the Sky.
Long regarded as one of the best point guards in college basketball (she hit the winning shot for the Terps in the national championship game when she was a freshman), Toliver should provide instant help to the Sky's perimeter game.
"We're thrilled," Sky president Margaret Stender said. "Kristi is exactly what we want and need."
As a junior, Toliver won the Nancy Lieberman Award, which honors the best point guard in the nation. She was a finalist this season, averaging 5.1 assists, best in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
"I have the ability to make my teammates look better," Toliver said. "That's something I take great pride in, not necessarily doing great things for myself but doing great things for my teammates."
But make no mistake, Toliver isn't always thinking pass first.
The fact that she also averaged 18.1 points, second-best in the ACC, was a big draw for the Sky, which needs not only a playmaker but a legitimate scoring threat at point guard.
"It's great that I have that in my bag of tricks," Toliver said. "I can create my own shot, get my shot off. I knew that the Sky was looking for a point guard that can score."
Toliver scored nearly 2,000 points at Maryland, which has been a national championship contender ever since she walked on campus four years ago. She said it will be tough to leave but that she's ready for the next level. Actually, she has been ready for a long time.
"You know, my dad (George) reffed in the NBA for 17 years, so I grew up around pro basketball. I love pro basketball and I always expected to continue playing as a pro," said Toliver, whose father is now the supervisor of officials for the D-League. "It's great to have my dad by my side because he knows so much about the professional game.
"He's been a player and a coach, too (both at James Madison). So all of those perspectives that he's had have benefited me. I think I understand what everyone is looking for."
For now, the Sky is just looking for some more wins - and its first playoff berth. The addition of Toliver to the mix seems like it very well could be the missing piece to the puzzle.
"I'm pretty familiar with the players (for the Sky) - Sylvia Fowles, Candice Dupree. Armintie Price, most of them," Toliver said. "I can't wait to meet them. They're winners, I'm a winner. I think we'll click great."
pbabcock@dailyherald.com