Last Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Dallas Mavericks hired WNBA two-time champion, Kristi Toliver, to the coaching staff. The Mavericks ended the 2020-21 season in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 42-30 record.
The Dallas Mavericks are hiring two-time WNBA champion Kristi Toliver as an assistant coach, sources tell ESPN. Toliver, who’s playing for the LA Sparks this season, spent parts of two seasons on the Wizards coaching staff.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 19, 2021
In addition to a strong regular season, the Mavericks also lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dallas adding Toliver to the coaching staff provides the team with toughness, leadership, and stability. She will also help Luka Dončić develop as a point guard.
Toliver served as an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards. She is a two-time champion, (Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics), a veteran, and a student of the game.
After the 2020-21 NBA season the Mavericks said goodbye to Rick Carlisle who was the head coach from 2008-2021.
Thank you all for the love and support entering this new journey with the @dallasmavs. So thankful for this opportunity and can’t wait to get to work. #MAVS
— Kristi Toliver (@KristiToliver) August 20, 2021
The hiring of Toliver will help Dallas head coach Jason Kidd as he looks to take the franchise to new heights. Both Toliver and Kidd have won titles on the highest levels.
Kristi Toliver = Diversity
Not to mention both coaches have cemented records as respected point-guards. The hiring of Toliver is important because she is another WNBA player who is diversifying the NBA. She also is holding the league accountable by providing women a chance to coach.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles guard pays attention to detail and is effective on both sides of the ball. In Washington, she helped Bradley Beal develop his game along with other young Wizard players.
Currently, Kristi is averaging 9.5 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting 33 percent from three.
After the WNBA season concludes, the 5’7 guard will join the Mavericks coaching staff as they look to be a contender in the Western Conference.
Does the hiring of Toliver mean that we are one step closer to seeing the first female head coach in the NBA?
As the 2021 season continues to unfold, follow me on Twitter @ZackeryRogers13 for more WNBA content.
