Former Maryland women’s basketball star Kristi Toliver will be sitting out the upcoming season with the Los Angeles Sparks, the team announced this past weekend.
“Though I want very much to compete with my team, to be a leader and show up for them, I am not comfortable with the risk to my physical health — short term and long term — given the many unknowns of COVID-19 and the risk of injury,” Toliver said in a statement. “For me, the right decision under the circumstances is to opt out for the year.”
The WNBA is set to begin its season July 24 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida in an enclosed bubble as the sports world continues to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Toliver, who was drafted third overall out of Maryland in 2009, averaged 13.0 points, 6.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game for the Washington Mystics on their championship run last season. She left the team to sign a three-year contract with the Sparks in free agency, but now will wait another season before playing for her new team.
In other news
Maryland athletics announced that no student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19.
Maryland tested 105 student-athletes for COVID-19 in its initial on-campus screening and zero tests came back positive, per release.
— Matt Levine (@MattLevine__) June 26, 2020
Maryland football is underway with voluntary workouts for players.
Views from Maryland Stadium
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) June 27, 2020
Shout to our staff for helping us get our work done safely. pic.twitter.com/iWNljJxOo2
Could Kevin Garnett have ended up as a Terp?
KG in CP?
— Maryland Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) June 28, 2020
Joe Smith thought it was possible pic.twitter.com/iC4Wy7GlDv
Former Terp Alex Len tested positive for COVID-19, but still aims to join the Sacramento Kings in Orlando.
Alex Len is the first professional former Terp to announce a COVID-19 diagnosis.
— Lila Bromberg (@lilabbromberg) June 25, 2020
He’s in isolation and hoping to be able to join the Sacramento Kings in Orlando. https://t.co/w2Bouwyt3s