kristi toliver

Charles headlines 2012 All-WNBA First Team; Catchings earns seventh first-team nod

Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles, 2012 WNBA Most Valuable Player, headlines the 2012 All-WNBA First-Team, the league announced today. A three-time All-WNBA Team selection, Charles led all vote-getters with 196 points.

Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever (161) and last year's MVP and Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks (176), the runner up in this season's MVP voting were also named to the team, both as forwards. Guards Cappie Pondexter of the New York Liberty (128) and Seimone Augustus of the Minnesota Lynx (95) round out the First-Team.

Hard work and less self-criticism have made Kristi Toliver a WNBA assassin

They call her “the Assassin.”

It’s an unlikely moniker for the quiet young woman from Harrisonburg, Vir., whose ready smile and slight stature make her look far younger than her 25 years.

But though Los Angeles Sparks coach Carol Ross wasn’t the first to apply the nickname to Kristi Toliver, who was recently named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player for 2012, Ross insists the 5-7 point guard fits it well.

All Access: L.A. Sparks - part 2

In this edition of WNBA All Access, Alex Chambers catches up with Sparks players Nicky Anosike, Alana Beard and the former Maryland teammates Marissa Coleman and Kristi Toliver. 

Find out which member of the LA Sparks desparately needs a pedicure and other hilarious information in All Access LA Sparks - part 2.

WNBA gears are grinding in the early going

Players have slow starts; teams have slow starts; and it sure seems like the WNBA is off to a slow start as well.

It’s hard to say why, but it just doesn’t seem like the league has kicked into gear yet. Maybe it’s because the results so far have been pretty predictable, and stars like Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and Diana Taurasi are MIA. And maybe it’s because the NBA playoffs have been so good in the past couple weeks that any basketball would pale in comparison, but regardless, the WNBA isn’t yet firing on all cylinders.

2012 Los Angeles Sparks Preview: Ross, Ogwumike put the spark back in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Sparks fans, be sure to pick up a program as you make your way through the turnstiles at the Staples Center.  A radically reshaped roster is what management hopes will reverse the downward spiral they have endured over the three-year span since the retirement of marquee player -- and current co-owner -- Lisa Leslie.

New Coach, New Attitude