Photograph: Cj Gunther/EPABoston CelticsCeltics' Isaiah Thomas starts playoff game after death of si. ”Starting at the ground floor, teams found creative ways to recruit players. Jacksonville State’s Ashley Martin, the first woman to play at the Division I level, made three extra points in 2001 as a walk-on player. ” In Oakland, Julie Christie threw out – yes, threw out – the first ball before the Clippers and Pit.