On Friday, the Los Angeles Sparks announced that guard Kristi Toliver will opt out of the 2020 WNBA season. She was going to enter the first year of a three-year contract with Los Angeles. Toliver is also an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards where she is finishing her second season.
In her statement, Toliver said the following:
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.