Todd Lichti

  • Nationality: USA
  • Date of Birth: 8/01/67
  • Place of Birth: Walnut Creek, California (USA)
  • Position: SG
  • Height (CM): 193
  • Weight (KG): 93
  • Junior Assoc:
  • College: Stanford (1985–1989)
  • NBL DEBUT: 9/08/96
  • AGE AT DEBUT: 29
  • LAST NBL GAME: 15/11/98
  • AGE AT LAST GAME: 31
  • NBL History: Perth 1996-99
  • Championships: 0
  • None

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NICKNAME/S: TL

BIO: Todd Lichti was born in Walnut Creek, California (USA).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Todd Lichti made his NBL debut with the Perth Wildcats at 29 years of age. He scored 22 points in his first game.

Lichti was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

In four seasons with Stanford Lichti averaged 18.8 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game and 2.5 assists per game, appearing in 124 games.

At graduation Lichti was Stanford’s all-time leading scorer with 2,336 points, a record broken by Chasson Randle on March 31, 2015.

Won 1990 NIT Championship with Stanford.

1997
Perth returned in 1997 after being knocked out by Adelaide in the previous season’s quarterfinals, with Aaron Trahair (to Sydney), Pete Hansen and Matthew Earp no longer on the roster. Adrian Hurley retained captain Andrew Vlahov, Ricky Grace, Todd Lichti, James Crawford, Anthony Stewart, Gavin Vanderputten, Phil Doherty and Ryan Gardiner, while Scott Fisher remained sidelined for the regular season following knee reconstruction. David Van Dyke (via Newcastle), Greg Brown, Scott Harkess and Nick Lackovic were added for the new campaign. His move to Perth had come midway through 1996 after former Stanford teammate Vlahov helped recruit him to the Wildcats, leaving 1997 as his first full NBL season.

Perth opened the season at the Perth Entertainment Centre on April 11, where Lichti (14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block) made all 10 free throws, while Stewart (17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Grace (14 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, but Brian Tolbert (22 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led defending champion South East Melbourne to a 104-84 win.

Lichti (16.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across 34 games) appeared in every game and led Perth in scoring during his first full NBL season, shooting 51 percent from the field, 38 percent from three and 84 percent from the free-throw line.

One of his strongest all-round games came in Newcastle on April 26, where Lichti (26 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) made all seven free throws as Perth defeated the Falcons 122-101, with Van Dyke (29 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) and Stewart (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) providing support.

Lichti produced his first season-high scoring game against Sydney on June 29, where he finished with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal while making 10-of-16 field goals and four three-pointers as Perth won 112-92, with Grace (17 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, and 1 steal) and Vlahov (16 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) providing support.

On September 20, Lichti (28 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) matched his season-high after making 13 field goals, while Grace (19 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) and Stewart (14 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) also contributed, but Melbourne defeated Perth 107-98 at the Perth Entertainment Centre.

With Fisher still unavailable and Van Dyke sidelined through June and July, George Banks (via Dinamo Sassari) joined Perth in late June as injury cover. Banks (10.3 points and 7 rebounds across 7 games) played seven games before his stint ended, with Van Dyke returning in August.

Grace (16.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 34 games) directed the offence and led Perth in assists, while Van Dyke (14.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks across 24 games) led the Wildcats in rebounding and blocks. Crawford (14.7 points and 7.4 rebounds across 31 games) shot 50 percent from the field and appeared in his tenth consecutive NBL All-Star Game, while Vlahov (13.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals across 33 games) and Stewart (13.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across 33 games) remained major contributors.

Perth closed the regular season in Townsville on September 26, where Lichti (25 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) made five three-pointers, Crawford (23 points and 5 rebounds) and Stewart (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists) provided support and the Wildcats held off the Suns 102-100 despite Derek Rucker (36 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists). The victory secured fourth place for Perth with a 17-13 record and eliminated Townsville from playoff contention.

The quarterfinal series opened at the Perth Entertainment Centre on October 4, where Grace (18 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals), Lichti (15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Vlahov (14 points and 12 rebounds) and Crawford (12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led Perth to an 81-79 win over Brisbane. Crawford was injured during the victory and did not return for the remainder of the postseason.

Game two moved to the Brisbane Convention Centre, where Grace (25 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Vlahov (21 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block), Van Dyke (16 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Lichti (13 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) led the Wildcats to an 88-71 win and completed the sweep.

Fisher (10 points and 5.5 rebounds across 2 games) returned for the semifinal series after missing the regular season while recovering from knee reconstruction.

The semifinals opened in Perth, where Lichti (20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block), Grace (19 points and 4 assists), Fisher (14 points and 6 rebounds) and Van Dyke (12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) were Perth’s best, but Chris Anstey (19 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 steals) and Tony Ronaldson (18 points) led South East Melbourne to a 92-82 win.

Game two moved to Melbourne Park, where Lichti (6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists), Grace (16 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Van Dyke (13 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks) were Perth’s best, while Sam Mackinnon (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Magic to a 96-69 win.

1998
Todd Lichti entered 1998 after leading Perth in scoring during his first full NBL season, having originally joined the Wildcats midway through 1996 after former Stanford teammate Andrew Vlahov helped recruit him to the club. Perth’s 1997 campaign had ended with a semifinal loss to South East Melbourne, and Adrian Hurley stepped down after five seasons as head coach. Alan Black returned to take charge, while David Van Dyke, George Banks, Scott Harkess and Ryan Gardiner departed. Captain Vlahov, Ricky Grace, Lichti, Scott Fisher, James Crawford, Anthony Stewart, Gavin Vanderputten, Phil Doherty, Greg Brown and Nick Lackovic remained, with Greg Smith and Thomas Hill (via Jacksonville) added for the NBL’s final winter season.

Black’s return began against Townsville at the Perth Entertainment Centre on January 30, where Lichti (17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) made 7-of-13 field goals. Grace (21 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals) and Crawford (16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) also contributed, but Derek Rucker (34 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led the Suns to an 89-87 victory.

Lichti (17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals across 32 games) remained one of Perth’s primary perimeter options, shooting 47 percent from the field, 43 percent from three-point range and 87 percent from the free-throw line. He appeared in 28 of Perth’s 30 regular-season games and all four postseason games, with his two regular-season non-appearances coming during the late-May road games against South East Melbourne and Canberra.

His best game and highest-scoring performance came against North Melbourne on February 15. Lichti (31 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists) made 11-of-15 field goals, including seven of eight three-pointers, as Perth defeated the Giants 120-98 at the Perth Entertainment Centre. Grace (4 points, 4 rebounds, and 14 assists) directed the offence, while Pat Reidy (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) was one of North Melbourne’s leading performers.

Perth’s season swung sharply during March, with four consecutive losses from March 6 to March 22 followed immediately by five straight victories through April 11. Hill’s nine-game stint ended during that period and Dewey Michaels (via Perth Redbacks), who had won the previous season’s SBL MVP and Grand Final MVP awards, made his NBL debut on March 22. Vlahov (12.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 17 games) returned in April after missing Perth’s first 17 games.

Grace (18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.5 steals across 34 games) narrowly led the Wildcats in scoring and earned All-NBL Third Team honours. Fisher (17.2 points and 9.2 rebounds across 32 games) returned to full-time action after knee reconstruction had restricted him to two appearances the previous season and led Perth in rebounding, while Crawford (16 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 34 games) remained productive inside and Stewart (11.7 points and 3.3 assists across 34 games) provided another experienced backcourt option. Crawford, Fisher and Vlahov were selected to the NBL’s 20th Anniversary Team. Perth completed the regular season third with a 17-13 record.

The elimination finals began at Beaton Park, where Lichti (18 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) helped Perth win 95-85 in the final NBL game played at the Snakepit. Fisher (37 points) produced the major scoring performance and Vlahov (16 points, 3 assists, and 5 steals) added support, while Mat Campbell (27 points and 5 rebounds) led Wollongong.

Game two moved to Challenge Stadium, where Lichti (21 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) made both of his three-point attempts and all seven free throws. Fisher (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Grace (17 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3 steals) helped Perth pull away for a 120-97 victory, while Elliot Hatcher (34 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals) led Wollongong as the Wildcats completed the sweep.

Perth hosted Adelaide in the opening semifinal, with Lichti (12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block) making five of nine field-goal attempts. Crawford (22 points and 6 rebounds) and Grace (20 points and 5 assists) led the Wildcats, but Brett Maher (36 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) made seven three-pointers and Darnell Mee (16 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped the 36ers win 114-97.

Game two shifted to Adelaide Arena, where Lichti (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) played more than 43 minutes as Vlahov (32 points and 11 rebounds) and Grace (26 points and 5 assists) kept Perth within reach. Maher (26 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists), Kevin Brooks (22 points and 4 rebounds) and Martin Cattalini (20 points and 5 rebounds) led Adelaide to a 117-110 victory, completing the semifinal sweep and ending Perth’s season.

Todd Lichti played four seasons the Perth Wildcats. He averaged 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 82 NBL games.

NBL TOTAL STATISTICS

SEASONAGETEAMTEAM RECORDGPMINSPTSREBASTORDRSTLBLKTOPFFGMFGAFG%3PM3PA3P%FTMFTAFT%TS%EFG%HS
1998-9932Perth13-13 (6)62458533181320951614367449%72133%61638%52%53%19
199831Perth17-13 (3)321,21555114811138110546738720342947%5713443%8810187%58%54%31
199730Perth17-13 (4)341,270571199705814153118910321843151%4010638%9511384%59%55%28
199629Perth16-10 (3)103191696224174514119256411257%102148%313686%65%62%27
Totals823049137644222312631613023197229521104649.8%11428240.4%22026682.7%59%55%31

NBL PER GAME STATISTICS

SEASONAGETEAMTEAM RECORDGPMINSPTSREBASTORDRSTLBLKTOPFFGMFGAFG%3PM3PA3P%FTMFTAFT%TS%EFG%HS
1998-9932Perth13-13 (6)640.814.25.53.02.23.31.50.82.72.36.012.349%1.23.533%1.02.738%52%53%19
199831Perth17-13 (3)3238.017.24.63.51.23.41.70.22.32.76.313.447%1.84.243%2.83.287%58%54%31
199730Perth17-13 (4)3437.416.85.92.11.74.11.60.32.63.06.412.751%1.23.138%2.83.384%59%55%28
199629Perth16-10 (3)1031.916.96.22.41.74.51.40.11.92.56.411.257%1.02.148%3.13.686%65%62%27
Total8237.216.85.42.71.53.91.60.32.42.86.412.849.8%0.00.040.4%1.43.482.7%59%55%31

CAREER HIGHS

POINTS REBOUNDS ASSISTS STEALS BLOCKS TURNOVERS TRIPLE DOUBLES
311684250

NBA EXPERIENCE

Todd Lichti was drafted by the Denver Nuggets with pick #15 in the 1989 NBA Draft.

Had his NBA career cut short due to multiple injuries.

Lichti played 237 games in the NBA. He averaged 7.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game over his NBA career.

NBA TRANSACTIONS:

- June 27, 1989: Drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the 1st round (15th pick) of the 1989 NBA Draft.
- August 19, 1993: Traded by the Denver Nuggets with Anthony Cook and a 1994 2nd round draft pick (Rodney Dent was later selected) to the Orlando Magic for Bison Dele.
- February 24, 1994: Waived by the Orlando Magic.
- February 28, 1994: Signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors.
- March 29, 1994: Signed the first of two 10-day contracts with the Boston Celtics.
- April 17, 1994: Released by the Boston Celtics.

Season Team PTS AST STL BLK FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA 3P%
1 0 87% 85% 94% 70%
2 0 31 8 4 2
Total 521 1046 49.8% 114 282 40.4%

NBA TOTAL STATISTICS

YEARAGETEAMPOSGPGSMINSPTSTRBASTORBDRBSTLBLKTOVPFFGFGAFG%3P3PA3P%FTFTAFT%TS%EFG%
1993-9427BostonSG404819862651346140071447%43%
1993-9427Golden StateSG50583110337000910282291147%39%
1993-9427OrlandoSG402084231202349000044%44%
1992-9326DenverSG481275233110252356728114960124276268110252%45%
1991-9225DenverSG68101176446118743682431272131173376199911852%46%
1990-9124DenverSG292586040511272496346833651663781447596950%46%
1989-9023DenverSG79413266301511164910255139514525051401413017453%49%
Total237514240187050532517732817945254417733159546%197824%38548879%

NBA PER GAME STATISTICS

YEARAGETEAMPOSGPGSMINSPTSTRBASTORBDRBSTLBLKTOVPFFGFGAFG%3P3PA3P%FTFTAFT%TS%EFG%
1993-9427BostonSG4012.04.82.01.50.51.51.30.30.81.01.53.543%0.00.01.83.547%43%
1993-9427Golden StateSG5011.66.22.00.60.61.40.00.00.01.82.05.636%0.40.41.82.247%39%
1993-9427OrlandoSG405.02.01.00.50.80.30.50.00.50.81.02.344%0.00.00.00.044%44%
1992-9326DenverSG481215.76.92.11.10.71.40.60.21.01.32.65.845%0.00.11.72.152%45%
1991-9225DenverSG681017.36.61.71.10.51.20.60.21.11.92.55.546%0.00.11.51.752%46%
1990-9124DenverSG292529.714.03.92.51.72.21.60.31.12.25.713.044%0.51.62.02.450%46%
1989-9023DenverSG79416.88.01.91.50.61.30.70.21.21.83.26.549%0.00.21.62.253%49%
Total2375117.97.92.11.40.71.40.80.21.11.83.16.746%0.10.324%1.62.179%

COLLEGE

Lichti played four seasons at Stanford from 1985–86 through 1988–89, appearing in 124 games and finishing with 2,336 career points, which stood as Stanford’s all-time scoring record at the time of his graduation, while his overall Stanford career averages were 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game with an 84.0% free-throw mark across 695 attempts.

As a freshman in 1985–86, Lichti started 25 of 30 games and averaged 17.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game, totaling 516 points on 188-for-353 shooting (53.3%) and 140-for-172 at the line (81.4%), while adding 47 total rebounds, 69 assists, and 78 turnovers in 876 minutes on a Stanford team that went 14–16 overall and 8–10 in Pac-10 play under coach Tom Davis, scoring 74.1 points per game and allowing 70.3 points per game.

In 1986–87, Lichti started all 28 games and lifted his workload to 34.8 minutes per night, averaging 17.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while making 170-of-329 field goals (51.7%), hitting 30-of-63 three-pointers (47.6%), and converting 123-of-152 free throws (80.9%), as Stanford finished 15–13 overall and 9–9 in the Pac-10 with Mike Montgomery taking over as head coach, with the team averaging 71.5 points scored and 71.5 points allowed per game.

Lichti’s junior season in 1987–88 was a 20-win step forward for the program, with Stanford going 21–12 overall and 11–7 in conference play under Montgomery, and Lichti producing 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 222-for-406 from the field (54.7%), drilling 46-of-89 from three (51.7%), and making 174-of-198 at the stripe (87.9%), and that season also brought Stanford back to postseason play with an NIT berth after the team entered the tournament at 20–11, with a March 18, 1988 preview noting Lichti was averaging 19.6 points and had earned All-Pac-10 recognition for a third straight season.

As a senior in 1988–89, Lichti again started all 33 games and matched his junior-year scoring average at 20.1 points per game, pairing it with 5.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per outing while shooting 240-for-437 (54.9%), going 36-for-83 from three (43.4%), and finishing 147-for-173 at the free-throw line (85.0%), and his season included consensus second-team All-American recognition alongside continued top-level Pac-10 honours as Stanford finished 26–7 overall and 15–3 in conference play, placed second in the Pac-10, ended ranked 13th in the final AP poll, and posted a 76.3 points per game offense while allowing 65.0 points per game.

Stanford’s 1988–89 season concluded in the NCAA tournament on March 16, 1989 in Greensboro, North Carolina, when Siena upset the third-seeded and 13th-ranked Cardinal 80–78, with Lichti scoring 17 points and contributing to a late rally that tied the game at 66–66 on his dunk after a steal with 6:36 left, before he was called for a foul on Siena’s Marc Brown on a baseline drive in the closing seconds that led to the decisive free throws, and the same game saw freshman Adam Keefe score 22 points, including the final 12 Stanford points, as Stanford’s season ended at 26–7 with Lichti closing his college career as the program’s leading scorer at the time.

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