Anthony Tolliver

Anthony Tolliver
Born	(1985-06-01) June 1, 1985 United States
Occupation	Professional basketball player (retired)
Years active	2007–2021
Known for	NBA career with multiple teams including San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, Philadelphia 76ers

Anthony Lamar Tolliver (born June 1, 1985) is a retired American professional basketball athlete. He competed collegiately for the Creighton Bluejays and enjoyed a 13-season tenure in the National Basketball Association (NBA), representing franchises such as the San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and Philadelphia 76ers. In addition to his NBA career, Tolliver played in the NBA Development League as well as professionally in Germany and Turkey.

High school and college career

Following a standout high school career at Kickapoo High School, where his team secured the Missouri Class 5A State Championship and earned a No. 12 national ranking from USA Today, Tolliver committed to play for Creighton in 2002.

During his time at Creighton, Tolliver evolved from a bench player in his freshman season to starting in 30 of 34 contests as a sophomore. Notably, he contributed an 8-point, 7-rebound performance during the 2005 MVC tournament final against Missouri State. His junior year accolades included second-team all-MVC honors, highlighted by clutch moments like a game-winning basket versus Wichita State in 2006.

In his final collegiate season, Tolliver earned first-team all-MVC recognition, was named a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS award, and received mid-major All-America honors from Collegeinsider.com. He started every one of Creighton's 33 games that year, guiding the team to a 22–11 record and an NCAA Tournament berth while surpassing the 1,000-point milestone. Renowned for his defensive capabilities, Tolliver became particularly known for his proficiency in drawing charging fouls.

Iowa Energy (2007–2008)

After going undrafted in 2007, Tolliver participated in the Cleveland Cavaliers preseason and made their opening roster but did not appear in any games. Most of the 2007–08 campaign saw him with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League, where he averaged 11.5 points alongside 6.4 rebounds per contest.

Bremerhaven (2008)

Tolliver then reunited with former college teammate Nate Funk at German club Eisbären Bremerhaven competing in the Basketball Bundesliga, posting averages of 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

San Antonio Spurs (2008–2009)

In July 2008, Tolliver signed with the San Antonio Spurs, splitting time between the Spurs and their D-League affiliate, the Austin Toros. Over his first eleven NBA appearances, he averaged 3.5 points and 2.3 rebounds across 12.1 minutes per game. Meanwhile, in six outings with Austin, he produced averages of 17.8 points and 7.8 rebounds. He featured in eight additional NBA games before being waived on January 7, 2009.

Return to Iowa (2009)

Soon after his release, Tolliver returned to the Iowa Energy. Following three games there, he secured a ten-day contract with the New Orleans Hornets. Once that contract expired without renewal, he rejoined Iowa for a third tenure.

Galatasaray (2009)

Before signing with Galatasaray Café Crown of the Turkish Basketball League, Tolliver averaged 12.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while with Iowa Energy.

Idaho Stampede (2009)

In December 2009, Tolliver joined the Idaho Stampede competing in the NBA Development League.

Portland Trail Blazers (2009)

During the same month, the Portland Trail Blazers brought Tolliver on board with a short-term contract utilizing a hardship exemption, which permitted an additional 16th roster spot due to multiple injuries.

Return to Idaho (2010)

Following two appearances with Portland, Tolliver was released on December 29, 2009, and subsequently rejoined Idaho.

Golden State Warriors (2010)

Tolliver signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors on January 17, 2010, which was later extended to cover the remainder of the 2009–10 season. On April 7, he posted a personal best of 34 points while shooting efficiently and contributing eight rebounds. He concluded the season averaging 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest.

Minnesota Timberwolves (2010–2012)

During the 2010 offseason, Tolliver agreed to a two-year contract worth $4.5 million with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Atlanta Hawks (2012–2013)

In September 2012, Tolliver signed a one-year deal valued at $854,389 to play for the Atlanta Hawks.

Charlotte Bobcats (2013–2014)

On August 19, 2013, Tolliver committed to a one-year, $1 million agreement with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Phoenix Suns (2014)

Tolliver inked a two-year contract worth $6 million with the Phoenix Suns on July 21, 2014. Throughout the 2014–15 season, he appeared in 24 games and averaged 3.3 points along with 1.8 rebounds per game.

Detroit Pistons (2014–2016)

On December 24, 2014, Tolliver was traded to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Tony Mitchell.

Sacramento Kings (2016–2017)

Tolliver secured a two-year, $16 million contract with the Sacramento Kings on July 9, 2016. He was waived by Sacramento on June 1, 2017.

Return to Detroit (2017–2018)

On July 14, 2017, Tolliver returned to the Detroit Pistons under a one-year deal worth $3.3 million. He ranked second in the league for three-point shooting accuracy at 46.1%, trailing only teammate Reggie Bullock.

Return to Minnesota (2018–2019)

Tolliver signed a one-year contract valued at $5.75 million with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 9, 2018.

Return to Portland (2019–2020)

On July 3, 2019, Tolliver agreed to a one-year contract for $2.56 million with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Return to Sacramento (2020)

On January 20, 2020, Tolliver was traded back to the Sacramento Kings, alongside Kent Bazemore and two future second-round draft picks, in exchange for Trevor Ariza, Wenyen Gabriel, and Caleb Swanigan. After participating in nine games, he was waived by Sacramento on February 29.

Memphis Grizzlies (2020)

The Memphis Grizzlies signed Tolliver to a 10-day contract on March 2, 2020, later confirming his return for the NBA season restart that year.

Philadelphia 76ers (2021)

Tolliver joined the Philadelphia 76ers on April 12, 2021, with a 10-day contract. He earned a second such contract on April 22 before signing for the remainder of that season on May 2. After appearing in eleven games and averaging 1.5 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.2 assists per game, he was waived on August 27.

On December 26, 2021, Tolliver was signed by the New Orleans Pelicans under a hardship exception for a 10-day contract; however, this agreement was nullified the following day due to a positive COVID-19 test result.

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| San Antonio | 19 || 0 || 25.9 || .292 || .220 || .500 || 2.2 || 0.9 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 2.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Portland | 2 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 || 0.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Golden State | 44 || 29 || 32.3 || .431 || .331 || .769 || 7.3 || 2.0 || 0.7 || 0.8 || 12.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota | 65 || 4 || 21.0 || .450 || .409 || .802 || 4.5 || 1.3 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 6.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Minnesota | 51 || 0 || 17.3 || .390 || .248 || .745 || 3.0 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 0.4 || 4.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta | 62 || 11 || 15.5 || .380 || .338 || .863 || 2.5 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 4.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Charlotte | 64 || 9 || 20.3 || .420 || .413 || .805 || 2.6 || 0.7 || 0.3 || 0.2 || 6.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Phoenix | 24||0||11.3||.351||.387||.667||1.8||0.4||0.2||0.0||3.3 |- | style="text-align:left;" |

| style="text-align:left;" | Detroit 
|52||11||22.3||.423||.360||.794||3.7||0.9||0.4||0.3||7.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |  
| style="text-align:left;" | Detroit 
|72||5||18.6||.386||.360||.617||3.2||0.7||0.4||0.2||5.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |  
| style="text-align:left;" | Sacramento 
|65||9||22.7||.442||.391||.744||3.7||1.2||0.5||0..3||7..1
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |  
| style="text-align:left;" | Detroit 
|79||14||22..2||.464||.436||'.797'||3..1'||1..1'||'.4'||'.3'||8..9
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |  
| style="text-align:left;" | Minnesota 
|65||0||16..6||'.382'||'.377'||'.783'||2..7'||'.7'||'.3'||'.3'||5..0
|-
| style="text-align:left;" |  
| style="text-align:left;" | Portland 
|33||9||16..8||'.368'||'.337'||'.684'||3..3'||'.3'||'.2'||'.3'||3..9
|- 
| style="text-align:left;" |  
| style="text-align:left;" | Sacramento 
|9||0||9..1||'.176'||'.133'||'.500'||1..2'||'.3'||'.4'||'.1'||1..0
|-

Playoffs

|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2013 | style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta | 6 || 0 || 11.3 || .571 || .636 || .333 || 1.5 || .2 || .2 || .2 || 4.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2014 | style="text-align:left;"| Charlotte | 4 || 0 || 5.3 || .500 || .500 || 1.000 || 1.0 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 1.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2016 | style="text-align:left;"| Detroit | 3 || 0 || 8.7 || .500 || .000 || .000 || 1.3 || .3 || .0 || .3 || 1.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2021 | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 1 || 0 || 2.0 || .000 || .000 || .000 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 0.0 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career | 14 || 0 || 8.4 || .550 || .533 || .667 || 1.2 || .2 || .1 || .1 || 2.4

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2007–08 | style="text-align:left;"| Iowa | 25 || 11 || 27.4 || .509 || .360 || .672 || 6.4 || .9 || .9 || 1.1 || 11.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09 | style="text-align:left;"| Austin | 6 || 6 || 38.3 || .500 || .488 || .778 || 7.8 || 2.8|| 1.2|| .3||17.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2008–09 | style="text-align:left;"| Iowa | 11||8||35.2||.462||.327||.806||8.1||1.5||.14||.15||12.6 |-

| style="text-align:left;" |2009–10 NBA Development League season 
| style="text-align:left;" |Idaho Stampede 
|14||14||37.5||.469||.349||.785||11.4||2.5||1.3||1.2||21.4

|- class="sortbottom"

|style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career 
|56||39||32.6||.486||.371||.746||8.1||1.6||1.1||1.1||14.9

Personal life

Tolliver is a husband and father to four children. His late mother, Donna Lewis, who passed away in 2008, was formerly an educator. In her memory, he created an endowed scholarship at Drury University.

In the year 2020, Tolliver participated alongside other NBA athletes in a Vatican audience with Pope Francis, focusing on issues of social and economic disparities.

He belongs to the "Starting Five" collective, which includes Malcolm Brogdon, Joe Harris, Justin Anderson, and Garrett Temple, with the objective of raising $225,000 through Hoops2O to build wells in East Africa by the conclusion of the 2018–19 NBA season. By February of 2020, this project had successfully installed ten wells across Tanzania and Kenya, supplying clean water to more than 52,000 individuals.

External links

• TBLStat.net profile