As part of a regular series, BBNZ shines the spotlight on the Kiwi athletes who are leaving their mark in collegiate basketball in the United States. This week we profile Krystal Leger-Walker, who is lighting it up for the Washington State University Cougars in women’s NCAA Division I.
This Friday, Krystal Leger-Walker will play her 132nd NCAA Division I collegiate game – and make her 129th start – when Washington State University Cougars visit Colorado University for their Pac-12 meeting.
Her 129th appearance in the starting five will set a record for the most such starts by a Kiwi in either the NCAA men’s and women’s NCAA Division I basketball, breaking the mark set by former Tall Fern Erin Rooney.
Krystal was surprised to hear about this achievement when we caught up with the senior guard in the build-up to the Colorado game.
“I had no idea about this achievement and I’m definitely surprised, I’m honoured and also super-proud to equal Erin’s record; I’m just thankful that I’ve been able to play as much as I have and start in as many games as I have,” says Krystal.
Ironically, Leger-Walker made her collegiate debut against the same opponents – Colorado – back in 2016 when University Northern Colorado (UNC) Head Coach Kamie Ethridge inserted her freshman guard into the starting line-up.
The Waikato native, at the time not long out of St Peter’s School, Cambridge, didn’t disappoint in that game – playing 33 minutes, she was one of only two UNC players in double figures (11 points), while dishing out 5 assists and coming up with 2 steals and 3 rebounds.
Since then, she has played 94 games with Ethridge at the helm and started on every single occasion.
Ethridge took Leger-Walker to Northern Colorado and coached the dynamic point guard in her first two years at UNC before she took up an offer to coach at Washington State University. It wouldn’t be long before the two would reunite.
Leger-Walker played the 2018-19 season at UNC under new coach Jenny Huth – and it was under Huth that Leger-Walker played her only three collegiate games off the bench.
Following that season Leger-Walker made the decision to follow Etheridge to WSU, with her previous mentor heaping praise on the incoming senior.
“We recruited Krystal out of high school in New Zealand and coached her for two years at Northern Colorado. At UNC, Krystal led us to 48 wins in her first two years. She is an exceptional competitor and leader,” says Etheridge.
“Krystal comes from elite level basketball DNA. Her mother, Leanne Walker, represented the Tall Ferns in the Olympics and World Championships and is considered one of the best players to have ever played for New Zealand; she is now an Assistant Coach with the Tall Ferns.
“Krystal is a strong combo guard that has incredible playmaking skills and an exceptional basketball IQ,” continued Ethridge.
“She has the rare ability to positively effect a game in numerous ways and will continue to improve over the next two years. She is a natural-born leader whose number one goal is to make others better. Krystal is a high character, hard-working, and driven competitor that I believe will impact our program on a new level.”
After sitting out the 2019-20 season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, the Tall Ferns guard has run up another 43 starts in the last season and a half – and is now poised to break Rooney’s record of 128 starts (also in 131 games). Rooney, like Leger-Walker played at two universities – Monmouth University (2009-11) and Fordham University (2012-14).
Leger-Walker is grateful that she has made good decisions by initially going to UNC and then moving on to Washington State.
“I’m grateful that I have been to the right schools where I have been able to play a lot and keep a starting spot,” she reflected.
Leger-Walker’s impending record says a lot – not only about skill levels, but also her durability, resilience and reliability.
Leger-Walker has handled the pressures of playing point guard with aplomb, her vision enabling her to chalk up 573 assists at an impressive 4.3 per game. Already with 86 dimes to her name this season, she appears certain to pass the 100 mark for a fifth straight season.
Factor in 1,043 career points, 526 rebounds and 213 steals and the numbers demonstrate the all-around game that the 24 year-old possesses. It’s also points to the reasons why she debuted for the Tall Ferns as a teenager.
Krystal first played for the Tall Ferns as a 16 year-old back in 2014. She resumed her international career at the 2020 Asia Cup, playing for Tall Ferns Head Coach Guy Molloy for the first time. Molloy says that he hopes Krystal will be an important part of the Tall Ferns in the coming years and is excited at her potential.
“Krystal made her debut under my coaching with the Tall Ferns at the recent Asia Cup in Jordan. She played with tremendous energy and hustle, led the team well as the point guard and came up with some clutch shooting and penetration when required,” added Molloy.
With her collegiate career drawing to a close in April, it is to be hoped that Krystal will add many more international appearances to the 16 she has already played.
In the meantime, it’s back to business with a return to the NCAA National Championships being the clear goal for Krystal and her team.
“One hundred percent we want to get back to the Tournament and do well, and on a personal note I’m trying to be consistent with my shot, my scoring, and ending the year on a high.
“I want to ensure I have done as much as I can to help the team grow and the programme move in the right direction – which is what I spoke about with the coaches before I came here to Washington. Hopefully when I’m done here I will have achieved that.”
New Zealand’s 100 NCAA Division I games starters:
- *Krystal Leger-Walker 129 starts in 132 games (Washington State 2020-22/Northern Colorado 2015-18)
- Erin Rooney 128 starts in 131 games (Monmouth University 2009-11/Fordham University 2012-14)
- *Tera Reed 123 starts in 127 games (Virginia Commonwealth 2017-21, USC 2021/22)
- Rob Loe 121 starts in 133 games (University of St Louis, 2010-14)
- Stella Beck 117 starts in 123 games (St Mary’s College, 2014-18)
- Jillian Harmon 110 starts in 136 games (Stanford University 2005-09)
- Izayah Mauriohooho-Le’afa 108 starts in 117 games (Sacramento State University, 2016-20)
- *Kendell Heremaia 108 starts in 136 games (Fordham University, 2017-22)
- Jack Salt 106 starts in 127 games (University of Virginia, 2014-19)
- Craig Bradshaw 104 starts in 123 games (Winthrop University, 2003-7)
- Mark Dickel 103 starts in 125 games (UNLV, 1996-2000)
- Ashleigh Karaitiana 101 starts in 125 games (University of Hawaii, 2012-16)
*Indicates current players.
