Toby Fournier, welcome to the Courtside Club.
Toby Fournier, the freshman phenom.
Coach Kara said, if you can't see that this is the ACC freshman of the year,
then you need to see an eye doctor.
It was a great moment.
That's like the day where I got to like think about it the most and like soak it all in.
I mean, she is almost even with the rim.
When are we going to see an in-game dunk?
I need to do it as soon as possible.
I've been telling myself, I'm like, I just need to get it over with and do it.
Because I feel like once I do it, like I'll be able to do it more.
Toby Fournier, showing all the weapons.
She's got a full base of artillery.
Have you thought about your WNBA dreams?
Seeing how the WNBA has just like numbers have spiked.
I'm super excited.
I've definitely been thinking about that as like a professional career.
And yeah, we'll see what happens.
Toby Fournier, welcome to the Courtside Club.
I'm so excited to be here.
I know this is such a crazy time.
And is it crazy for you too?
Like has your freshman year just flown by?
I feel like it's been...
Very long and very short.
Like it's hard to describe, but there's been a lot of hard days that felt very long.
But then like, you know, all the fun stuff with the team and the games that we've played.
Like I feel like that's gone by very fast.
So it's a little bit of both for sure.
But yeah, it's been great all together.
Yeah, you guys just won the ACC Championship.
So congratulations on that.
We all saw the celebration from our end.
And Coach Kara said that you guys actually took a moment to reflect and just soak that
in because that's such a huge accomplishment.
How did that feel for you being out there on the court?
I mean, I just remember that moment, like watching like the clock count down, just waiting
to run to my teammates.
It was so much fun.
Like, of course, like in high school, we had our championships and everything, but it was
never that big of a stage, like in front of that many people.
And then just being able to celebrate with like those girls specifically, it was just
Like I remember running to everyone and I know Riley was just going crazy.
Like Riley specifically.
This was like one of the moments because we went around.
And like shared like our favorite moments from the championship.
And I just remember trying to avoid her because she was so like energetic.
We were all jumping together.
It was super fun.
She was about to just tackle you guys.
No, she definitely was, but I had to move by the way.
So you were also named ACC Freshman of the Year.
Congratulations on that.
And there was an interview where Coach Kara said, she said, if you can't see that this
is the ACC Freshman of the Year, then you need to see an eye doctor.
I had a chance to kind of soak that in and just realize what an accomplishment that is
for your freshman season.
I mean, it's been very crazy.
Just like with everything going on, I feel like the ACC championship, like one was right
So it was hard to kind of soak it all in, but I did have a day where it was just like
the coaches had called me up to the office.
I personally, like, I thought I was in trouble.
Like I didn't know what was going on.
They just like come up to the office.
They didn't say anything else.
So I was like, oh, like I've done something.
But anyways, I went up there and we all kind of like, at first, Coach Kara was trying to
play a prank on me or something.
Like they were very, very like serious, her and Coach Sia.
And then they couldn't hold it in anymore.
And we all started like smiling and laughing, but it was, it was a great moment.
And I feel like that's like the time, that's like the day where I got to like, kind of
think about it the most and like soak it all in.
And then now it's more just like boom, boom, boom.
Cause we had the championship and now obviously we're preparing for March Madness as well.
And that has to feel so good because going from that leap from high school to college
is something else, you know?
And not many people understand until you do it.
What do you feel like was the biggest adjustment that you had to make going into college hoops?
Oh, that's a really good question.
There's a lot of adjustments, to be honest.
Like I feel like basketball wise and just like on and off the court, like just being
adjusted to also being like a student athlete.
Obviously you had that in high school, but it wasn't to the same extent.
And especially at like such an academic university like Duke, like you really have to keep up
So I think, you know, obviously getting organized.
I had my mom back at home, so she would do a lot for me.
So I think a big adjustment for me was just like getting used to doing things for myself,
being more independent.
And then on the court, I would say just like the schemes of things and like defense and
offense and knowing the plays like that was really hard for the first few months for sure.
Like I can't even lie to anyone and all my teammates know that it was very hard for me,
but I feel like you, you start to just like adjust and get used to things, but I didn't
even know you could have like 30 plays.
We had one play in high school and it was for me.
So, you know, I get the ball, go to the rim, like that's the play.
So it's, yeah, it's definitely different, but it's like a nice transition as well.
I know you guys, you said you have a lot of plays in a lot of schemes, but from the outside
looking in, when I watch you guys play, it seems like you guys just play team ball.
Like you're moving on a string and everyone gets involved and you guys are all like, you
look at the stat line, even at the end of the game, everyone's scoring, everyone has
assists, everyone's rebounding, everyone's crashing the boards.
On defense, you guys are doing the same thing.
Is that something that Kara's kind of instilled in you guys to work as a team or how does
she, how does she go about getting you guys to work as this well-oiled machine that you
Um, you know, we have a lot of plays, like I, like we have, like, I don't even know how
many, too many to count, but at the same time, like what coach Kara always repeats to us
is she doesn't want us to be robots.
Like she doesn't want us to just like, think about, you know, everything's a play.
Because if you're thinking about the play, like, obviously,
you need to think about the plays, but if you're only focused on what's happening in
the play, like some of my back cut, and then you miss the pass them.
So at the end of the day, like she still wants us to play basketball.
And that's what she always talks about is like, yes, I need you to learn the plays and
know what you're doing.
But it's like, at the end of the day, you're doing what you love and that's playing basketball.
So she always talks about that, which is nice.
And you can see that on the court too, like, we're not super like stressed about like,
always need to be in like the right spot or do this or do that, you know, so we're still
playing basketball.
You guys don't seem stressed at all.
You guys seem like you're having a blast, like, all the way down from the players that
are on the court to also you look at the bench, like everyone is hype at all moments, like
even if things aren't going your way, it's like you guys somehow come together and play
I think that's also really going to help you come this next tournament.
How are you feeling about it?
Your first NCAA tournament?
Um, I'm definitely nervous.
Like I feel like there's, you know, a lot of pressure like there always is for every athlete.
But I'm also like, I think I'm more excited.
And I just know that I'm nervous because it's something that matters to me.
So I'm just like, I'm ready to go, you know, we've had all this all this time leading up
to it, like all the practices and all the preparation.
So I'm excited for sure.
How far can this Duke team go?
I mean, I think all the way to the end, but you know, Coach Kara likes to say, you know,
we got to stick to one game at a time.
So we're just focusing on, you know, what's ahead of us to beat that team and go on to
the next, you know, not just because you know, everyone will talk about, you know, you know,
what, I sound exactly like Coach Kara right now, she's gonna be so proud of me.
But you know, everyone likes to focus on like, you know, who you're gonna face in the Final
But it's like, you have to focus on each and every game that you're playing.
So right now, our biggest focus, obviously, is going to be Lehigh.
And we'll see how that goes.
Let's talk about Coach Kara a little bit.
You said you sound like her.
We have seen all these clips on the internet of her little you correct me if I'm wrong,
are they pre practice, little speeches, kind of motivational?
Bits that she gives you guys?
I mean, she's just endless wisdom and motivation.
After I interviewed her, I was like, Okay, I'm ready to go run a marathon now.
Does she do that for you guys?
Like before every like, what tell me about these?
I mean, that's one thing about Coach Kara, she knows how to talk to an audience.
She knows how to hype up a team.
So I feel like it's never really been an issue for her.
Like no matter what it is pre practice after, like, it doesn't matter when it is in the
She's always going to give a little speech, like even when it's one on one, and the cameras
are down, and there's nothing like being recorded, like she's still going to try to be as inspirational
So she always has like, little life lessons that she's giving us.
And it's definitely something that you can take like past basketball as well.
So it's nice to have a coach that that knows how to how to talk like that and how to motivate
her players because you can see like, maybe when we're having a bad practice or something
and we all come in together and she'll like give us a pep talk.
It's like you can see the energy shift after that.
Has there been any advice that she's given you that's really stuck out?
There's a really good speech that she had.
It was about like, finding the real Oh, I don't know, I'm not gonna be able to say it
like her it was it was really like, at the end of practice, she we have our little huddles.
So that's probably where a lot of the speeches come from.
But it was just about it was a speech about recognizing real and when you when you're
around real, it's it's easier to like spot out a fake.
And she gave like an example of like a money like a bank or something how they were trying
to find like, fake bills anyways, it was it was a whole thing.
But that was probably the one that stuck with me the most.
But she says so many things.
It's like, you're all kind of taking like, I can't just name one moment, you know?
Yeah, but staying in the real I think she mentioned that to me as well.
Yeah, she wants to like instill that in you guys.
So during your freshman season, you have a lot of stuff going on.
It's a little bit different.
I mean, you had a scary injury during the Boston College game, you had a concussion.
And then I remember hearing you in some of your post game interview saying that it was
a little hard for you to find your rhythm after that.
Do you feel or when do you feel like you had that breakthrough in the second half of the
Well, we had had a game I think was after that we faced UNC.
And that was just kind of me getting back into things.
And that wasn't a good game for me.
Like, because I was getting shots, but I wasn't making them.
And that usually like what I pride myself in is being like an efficient player.
So it wasn't only like that I wasn't playing my basketball, like it really got to the mental
side of me as well.
So just being able to like talk to my teammates and stuff, I feel like it didn't take that
many games to get back into it.
I don't really know like when specifically it changed, but I noticed my game got a lot
more consistent in the second half of the year.
Like I was starting to get a lot more, you know, not the scoring is everything, but I
was starting to get a lot more.
I was starting to get a lot more like 20 plus scoring games.
Like I had more rebounds than I was getting before.
I was just playing like comfortable.
Like I was kind of adjusted to being in the NCAA.
Whereas at the beginning of the year, I feel like it was new to me.
So, you know, I was playing my game and like leaning more on like my natural abilities.
But I feel like in the second half of the year, it's been more like obviously you have
that natural talent, that natural ability.
But everyone has that.
So what else are you going to do?
So I feel like that's kind of what happens.
It's like D1 Toby.
You just, you know, keep building on that.
You had a 28 point game, which is your career high so far.
I'm sure you'll break that anytime soon.
But you had that against Florida State.
How did that feel?
I mean, that was amazing.
And that was a game that we needed to because that was like we were going to have to double
by if we'd won that game, which we did.
It was a really important game for us, and I'm glad that I was able to step it up.
I feel like that's kind of what showed, you know, that I deserve that ACC Freshman of
the Year award as well.
Like, it was kind of the last game before they announced that.
So I'm like, Toby, like, you got to lock in.
You got to get this.
So it was really exciting.
And I feel like it wasn't anything forced.
Like, a lot of the time you'll score points because you're, you know, not passing the
teammates or you're forcing certain things.
But I feel like everything that happened in that game was like, I had to do this.
I had assists from my team.
Like, I couldn't have done it without my team.
And it was just like, we were really working together.
It wasn't just, like, an individual.
No, it was definitely in the flow of the game.
Because even if you look back at your highlights, like, a lot of them come from you slashing.
And whether that's part of the play or not, you said you guys have a million.
But sometimes that backdoor cuts open.
Sometimes it's you pinning down on the block.
Sometimes it is you getting it on the block and creating your own shots.
So I would give yourself credit for that.
But you're right.
When I looked back at that film, I was like, well, she was really scoring.
On all sides of the court.
And getting in there defensively as well.
You had a couple of stealers, blocks, you know.
And they had a really good, like, their post player was amazing.
Because she was, she was very talented.
I think she was up for a summer award for a power forward of the year.
But she was, she was great.
And it was, it was also like, I love that competition, that back and forth.
Like, when you're having a game like that.
And you're just able to go up against someone that's also having a good game as well.
And just kind of, like, go back and forth with them.
Because it wasn't only.
Like, you know, we have to win this.
It was actually like, oh, it was fun.
Like, I just felt like I was out there playing my game.
It's the best way.
Has there been anyone that you've gone up against that you were like, okay, here I am.
Like, this is college hoops.
You guys have played some tough teams and some tough players.
I remember, well, NC State was definitely a moment like that for us.
Like, I'm Sanaya James.
I don't, I'm forgetting her name.
Maybe that's wrong.
But she had, like, 36, like, she had a lot of points on us.
I just remember, like, oh, my gosh.
Like, because everyone can do the same things that, because everyone has that level of, like, natural ability.
So you've got to kind of stand out, like, amongst everyone else.
Because everyone's on that, like, same playing field.
I feel like that and also when we played Notre Dame and Hannah Hildago.
Because I had heard a lot about her.
I never really, like, played against her except for, like, AAU a couple, like, years back.
But she was just as she was in AAU.
I remember it was, like, 8 a.m. in the morning.
And she had, like, this full court press and, like, three steals in a row on our team.
And it was the same, like, it was the same.
She just has that energy.
Like, I feel like that's something that's not going to leave her.
But that was definitely, like, oh, like, we're, this is college basketball kind of moment.
Yeah, Hannah's one of those players I feel like you love to have her on your team.
But if you're going against her, she's so pesty.
On the offensive side and the defensive side.
It's like, oh, come on.
Well, Toby, here on the Courtside Club, we like to take a little halftime break.
And for that, I have a little, well, I have a little ranking game for you.
We're going to take it back to your Canadian roots.
So I have some Canadian things.
I don't even know how to properly set up this segment.
But I have some Canadian things.
And I just want you to rate them from a true Canadian.
So firstly, we have Niagara Falls.
Just rating it a 10?
You're a one out of 10.
I would say, like, eight.
I went there one time in the summer with my grandpa, my sister, and my uncle.
And we went on one of those boat rides.
And it's just like.
So you went in it.
Yeah, we went in it.
It wasn't, like, it was really close to it.
And there's just water everywhere.
We got super wet.
It was just a little, like.
It was a little scary.
There was a lot of waves.
Like, it was a lot.
That's why I take away the two points.
But it was still an eight.
Because it was beautiful, like, from afar.
But then when you get in there, you're like, ugh.
I didn't even know you could do that.
That's why I was like, oh, okay.
So next up, I have the poutine.
That has to be, like, a nine.
It's something Americans need to try.
Because I was telling.
It's funny you say that.
Because I was telling my teammates about it.
They're like, oh, that sounds disgusting.
Is it, like, gravy and french fries?
Is that all it is?
Gravy, cheese, and french fries.
It sounds disgusting.
But it's actually really good.
Like, the combination is just delicious.
Definitely not an American thing.
But I know it's, like.
You guys love it.
It's big in Canada.
So nine out of ten there.
What about Tim Hortons?
I feel like Tim's is also a nine out of ten, too.
I haven't had it in so long.
So I'm kind of craving.
Now that you said that.
Now I'm, like, kind of craving it a little bit.
Have you switched to, like, Dunkin' now that you're in the States?
That's, like, the thing, right?
It feels like a little bit of a betrayal.
Like, I don't really want to say it.
I haven't had Tim's in a while.
So I've just been having Dunkin'.
Dunkin's really good, too.
We won't tell your fellow Canadians.
That you've had Dunkin's.
So what about ketchup chips?
I think a nine, too.
I'm giving everything a nine.
I think it's a nine.
Ketchup chips are really good.
People don't know about ketchup chips, either.
They're really good.
I actually brought, like, a bunch of bags home for my teammates.
Did they approve?
Well, a few of them didn't like them.
I think they were just, like, acting up because they didn't really know.
But they kept on eating them.
They said they didn't like them.
Then the bag was done.
So I'm a little confused which one it is.
I think they just didn't want to admit to it.
So another nine out of ten.
So how about the weather?
It gets cold, no?
Colder than Durham, for sure.
It gets a lot colder than Durham.
The weather, I would say, like, a five.
Because in the summer, it's really nice.
It's that perfect, like, in-between balance because it's not.
Like, it will get really hot, but it's not like a, I don't know.
Not like a Texas.
It's not like a gross kind of, yeah, it's not like a gross kind of heat.
It's like a nice kind of heat, like a light.
I don't know how to describe it.
When it gets cold, it gets really cold.
But it can be nice sometimes because, like, in the winter and Christmas, like, it's nice
to have that, like, atmosphere, you know?
I saw the reel that you guys posted and it was, like, it was, like, filming all of you
guys coming out to the bus and the people who are, like, from cold weather climates
and those who weren't.
Like, how cold you guys were and you could just tell.
Anyway, that was funny.
No, that was funny because Emma just came out like it was nothing.
Like, she did not care at all.
Because she's also Canadian.
So, how about hockey?
I would give hockey, like, a solid eight.
It's not, like, my sport, obviously.
You know, I like basketball a little bit more.
But it's something I grew up playing, for sure.
Like, we had a hockey rink, like, right near where I grew up.
So, we used to always go over there and, like, play shinny, which is, like, a scrimmage.
So, we just kind of go back and forth with that.
So, I would say a seven.
And it was, like, me and my siblings, we would all play.
And, like, the neighborhood kids would come.
And last but not least, saying A.
Like, you know what I'm saying, right?
I know what you're saying.
Me, personally, I would give that, like, a three.
I think maybe that's, like, a Toronto thing.
I don't think I've ever said A in my life.
But, like, my grandma does.
Like, say it how she would say it.
Like, I don't know.
She'd just be like, that's a good meal, A.
Like, she says it like, it's something that you, like, agree with.
It's not something I use personally.
But it's, like, cute when, like, older people say it.
We're phasing out the A.
Time for the second half.
Toby, speaking of Canada, you were on Team Canada for U19.
What was that experience like?
And do you have Olympic dreams?
It was, like, it was amazing.
Just being able to represent my country like that, being able to play for them,
and then obviously being with, like, the girls that I grew up playing basketball with was super cool.
It was also a good experience, like, in general.
Because we did really well.
We got third place overall.
I got to play with Emma on the U19 team as well.
So it was really fun.
You know, it was a long time.
We were there for a month.
Because we had a two-week training camp in Toronto.
And then we had two weeks when we were down in Spain.
So it was a lot of time away.
But it was also with girls that I really enjoy spending time with.
And I feel like we did a really good job as well.
So we're going to see you in the Olympics.
Oh, the Olympics.
We have a few coming up.
I really want to go.
I feel like that would be super cool.
So it's kind of the perfect timing, too.
Because that's why.
Because, no, I was doing the math of when you will be out of school.
But, yeah, 2028 is L.A., too.
Yeah, that's the perfect timing.
And the perfect Olympics.
Like, who doesn't want to go to L.A.?
That would be really cool.
So we're putting that into the universe.
We will see you there.
I also got to know, when are we going to see an in-game dunk in college?
That's a great question.
I feel like a lot of people have been asking that.
I need to do it as soon as possible.
I've been telling myself.
I'm like, I just need to get it over with and do it.
Because I feel like once.
Once I do it, like, I'll be able to do it more.
Like, I feel like I've been psyching myself out a little bit.
Once I get a steal, like, next time that I get a steal, I'm going to just do it.
Like, and see what happens.
Especially in March Madness, too.
Like, I feel like this is the perfect time to, like, put that on display.
So, I don't know.
Maybe I was waiting.
Maybe I did it on purpose.
That would be crazy.
So, wait, wait, wait.
Stop the video and play Toby's first dunk.
Now bring it back.
That was pretty cool, wasn't it?
We're going to get your team to edit that together.
We got to see that.
Because I think we're all asking you because we know that you're fully capable of pulling
And that would just be so sick.
When was your first dunk?
I would say, like, 13, probably.
But it wasn't, like, a full-on.
Like, I remember, yeah, probably 13 in, like, an AAU game or something.
Like, a little league.
Whatever I was doing.
And then my first, like, dunk dunk, I remember, was after practice.
I was kind of just like, I don't know.
I was just, like, playing around.
I wasn't really, you know, doing much.
And then I actually got up there.
So, they were like, you know what?
Just try to dunk the ball.
Like, see what happens.
Because maybe you can do it.
So, I was trying.
I was getting really close.
And then all of a sudden, like, I actually got it.
And no one expected it from me because I was only 14 when it happened.
So, it was, like, it was crazy.
And then it just kind of started going viral from there.
Like, after, no, that was, like, so crazy.
Because after that, everything just kind of blew up.
Like, social media, everything like that.
I mean, a 14-year-old.
Girl dunking is crazy.
Like, some guys don't even dunk at 14.
You know what I mean?
So, that's pretty cool.
Well, I will be so excited to see that.
I will be cheering from home when I see that in-game during March Madness.
Again, putting that out there.
And I know it's a little far away.
But have you thought about your WNBA dreams?
I mean, I feel like I'm very locked in on college and everything.
And focusing on what's going on.
But at the same time, you know, seeing everything that's happening in terms of, like,
Like, the evolution in the women's game.
And seeing how the WNBA has just, like, numbers have spiked.
Like, I feel like I'm very much inspired to keep playing.
And then, I also know that there's, like, a level after college where people are going to watch the game.
So, I'm super excited.
I've definitely been thinking about that as, like, a professional career.
And, yeah, we'll see what happens.
What WNBA players have you been following?
And which player's game do you think is closest to yours?
Or comparable to yours as it is right now?
I would say probably Asia.
Love Asia Wilson.
I think that she's a great player.
I kind of, you know, grew up watching.
Like, when I first started watching the WNBA because my parents would watch it.
Like, that's a player that I watched a lot.
And I just love her passion.
Like, I feel like that's kind of how I play.
So, I relate to that.
Like, the way that she plays the game.
She's so, like, passionate about what she does.
And I feel like that's the same way that I get in games, too.
So, I kind of relate to that.
And she does it all, too.
She does everything.
I mean, Kaitlyn Clark, obviously, she's a rookie in the WNBA.
But it's super cool just watching her and how she has completely changed the women's game.
And, like, the amount of viewers that they're getting because of, you know, things that she's done.
And, obviously, the women for her and everyone in the league right now.
But she's definitely been an inspiration.
So, looking up to her, watching her college career, especially in that final year at Iowa, was crazy.
No, but the coolest part about it is, like, these players have all just created these stepping stones.
And then you guys are next.
And we've seen even with the numbers in college this year and how many people have been tuned in to the women's game in college.
It's like everyone's going to follow you guys as you continue.
So, it's such an exciting time to be a women's basketball player.
But, Toby, I know that you're super busy getting ready for the tournament.
Before I let you go, I have a couple buzzer beaters for you.
Okay, so who is one person that you would love to see courtside?
At one of your games?
That's a good one.
There's so many people.
And who is one person, dead or alive, that you would love to sit courtside with?
These are supposed to be buzzer beater questions.
But I'm really thinking of me.
No, I'm just kidding.
I mean, probably, like, Asia or one of the WNBA players.
Like, her, Kaitlyn, Elena Delagon.
Like, someone that I could, like, analyze the game with.
We'll wind you guys up, all four of you.
We have a few tickets.
And what is one event in history, it could be a sporting event or other,
that you would have loved to have been courtside for?
Oh, I would say 2020, the Rafters game with Kawhi Leonard when he hit the final shot.
I've been watching that.
Like, as a Raptors fan, like, living in Toronto, that was a crazy moment for us.
And then we went on to win the whole thing.
But, yeah, that was definitely where I would want to be, for sure.
I mean, there was definitely other games, but that one was really exciting.
The Kawhi era in Toronto was unmatched, for sure.
Well, Toby, thank you so much again for coming on courtside.
Good luck in the tournament.
We will be watching.
And also, we'll be waiting for that duck.