Kristi Toliver officially signs with Washington Mystics for 2023
Toliver officially returns to Mystics for 2023 originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Former Washington Mystic and starting guard for the 2019 WNBA championship squad Kristi Toliver officially signed a contract for the 2023 season to return to the team.
Toliver joins the team days before training camp after the organization announced its intent to sign the 13-year veteran in free agency. Both the staff and Toliver were waiting for her to fulfill her obligations as an assistant coach for the NBA's Dallas Mavericks before putting pen to paper. Since the Mavericks did not make the playoffs, general manager Mike Thibault wanted to give her time off before signing and returning to the District.
“It is extremely exciting to have Kristi back with the Mystics,” Mike Thibault said in a release. “Her ability to play both guard positions give our lineup a lot of flexibility. She is one of the premier 3-point shooters in WNBA history, as well as being one of the best players to create her own shot in key situations.”
A two-time WNBA champion, Toliver comes back to the Mystics after three years (two seasons) with the Los Angeles Sparks. She sat out the 2020 'Wubble' season due to concerns with the coronavirus pandemic. Once back on the floor in L.A., her impact on the floor wasn't quite the same as it was in 2019.
Injuries have played a factor in that - playing just 30 of the possible 68 games - but she posted career lows of 5.9 points per game and a 37.3 field goal percentage last year. However, her 5.6 assists per 36 minutes trails only the 2019 season (7.3 assists).
That's mostly due to her new role as a veteran guard in this league. Entering her age-36 season, no longer is Toliver expected to carry the scoring burden as she did earlier in her career.
That new role that she saw in Los Angeles should carry forward to D.C. as she comes back to a team that has seen numerous changes since she was a pillar on the roster. Ariel Atkins turned herself into an All-Star, the team drafted Shakira Austin and Natasha Cloud has expanded her scoring capabilities.
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Toliver addresses a needed role at backup point guard, that now exists without Rui Machida. The three-time All-Star should provide a boost from Machida's first dose of WNBA experience a year ago. Her deep shooting (38.4% from 3-point range in her career) should also boost the team in an area of need after finishing 10th in the league last season with a 33.8% team mark.
She also will be the most experienced professional on the roster, filling in a void left by Alysha Clark's departure. As a current assistant in the NBA, her knowledge will also be a major asset.
Toliver is expected to be one of 16 players to attend this year's training camp, which will start next week.
