Pondexter Named Wade Trophy Finalist
Mar 13 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, NJ - Rutgers fifth-year senior Cappie Pondexter (Chicago, IL) has been named one of 12 finalists for the State Farm Wade Trophy, given annually to the national player of the year in women’s basketball. Pondexter also was named to the potential roster for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-Star Challenge April 1, which will feature the top 20 senior players not competing in the NCAA Tournament Final Four.
Pondexter, who also was named a mid-season candidate for the Naismith Award and Women’s Wooden Award (player of the year), as well as one of 11 nominees for the Nancy Lieberman Award (top point guard) and a finalist for the Bayer Advantage Senior CLASS Award, is tied for sixth (March 7) nationally with 21.5 points per contest, adding 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game this season. Named the WBCA National Player of the Month for January, the 5-9 guard was a unanimous choice as the BIG EAST Player of the Year, becoming the first player in league history to be named to the All-BIG EAST First Team four times during her career. The MVP at the Junkanoo Jam Nov. 25-26 and the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge Dec. 3-4, she has also received four BIG EAST Conference player-of-the-week awards (Jan. 2, Jan. 16, Feb. 6, Feb. 13) and six berths on the BIG EAST Honor Roll (Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, Jan. 23, Jan. 30). Pondexter was a frequent member of preseason honor lists this fall, earning first-team All-America accolades from the Associated Press and Women’s Basketball News Service, second-team All-America mentions from Gballmag.com, Lindy’s and Athlon Sports, and a spot on the Street & Smith’s “Terrific 10” Preseason All-America Team.
The All-Star Challenge will be conducted Saturday, April 1, at Matthews Arena on Northeastern University’s campus and will be immediately preceded by the WBCA High School All-America Game at 4:30 p.m. RU signee Epiphanny Prince (New York, NY) is scheduled to be one of 20 participants in the High School All-America Game.
The winner of the last two BIG EAST Conference regular-season titles, No. 6/9 Rutgers (25-4, 16-0 BIG EAST) is awaiting the announcement of the 64-team field for the 2006 NCAA Tournament. The bracket will be revealed Monday, March 13, at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN. Scarlet Knight fans are invited to watch the Selection Show live with the team at the Busch Campus Student Center. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the event is free and open to the public.
