From podium in Turkey to WNBA for Tolo, Xargay
LOS ANGELES/PHOENIX (FIBA World Championship for Women/WNBA) - Marianna Tolo and Marta Xargay have a lot in common.
The two have plenty of EuroLeague Women experience and each made it to the podium at last year's FIBA World Championship for Women.
Xargay claimed a silver medal with Spain and Tolo a bronze with Australia.
Now the two are going to play in the WNBA.
Tolo has used Turkey 2014 as a springboard to the American league and a roster spot with the Los Angeles Sparks.
I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to play for the #Sparks in the WNBA! I will be joining a long… http://t.co/woOvz475wv
— Marianna Tolo (@MariannaTolo) February 10, 2015Perfumerias Avenida, Xargay's Spanish club, have announced that their star guard is to play for the Phoenix Mercury.
LA @WNBA espera en verano a nuestra capi @Martaxargay http://t.co/eWwpHh6XLw pic.twitter.com/fGFDQWboy6
— Perfumerías Avenida (@CBAvenida) February 11, 2015At the World Championship, where she was watched by Sparks coach Brian Agler, Tolo played a far more important role than she had anticipated.
Starting center Liz Cambage suffered an injury a week before the start of the tournament and the 25-year-old Tolo played big minutes in her absence.
She had some outstanding games, including a 10-point, six-rebound effort for the Opals against the USA in the Semi-Finals when she was matched up against Brittney Griner and Tina Charles.
In a Third-Place Game rout of Turkey, Tolo had 21 points and six rebounds.
"We are excited about the experience, intelligence, toughness and defensive presence that Marianna brings to the Sparks," Agler said.
"She is a very mobile and versatile post player who is developing range on her face-up game and is an excellent passer.
Marianna will step in and help us immediately. - Agler
Tolo's Australia coach, Brendan Joyce, is hopeful the move will be good for his player.
"It it will be positive and will be a step up," he said to FIBA.com.
"Marianna can do it if she is played in the right spots and to her strengths."
Joyce added: "I hope they are patient with her and the expectation is balanced."
Minnesota and Indiana were among the other clubs interested in signing Tolo, but the Sparks are the team to get her signature.
It may have helped that Australia star Erin Phillips, a WNBA champion with Indiana in 2012 and with Phoenix last season, has also decided to join the Sparks.
Xargay has been a steady performer for Spain in recent summers.
She helped them capture the title at EuroBasket Women 2013 and also played her usual tenacious defense at the World Championship.
FIBA
