Former Scarlet Knight Pondexter Named EuroLeague MVP
Mar 09 | Women's Basketball
VALENCIA, Spain - Former Scarlet Knight Cappie Pondexter scored a game-high 17 points and added three assists en route to being named Most Valuable Player at the second annual EuroLeague Women's All-Star Game in Valencia, Spain.
The game featured several of world's greatest players as a team comprised of European All Stars faced off against one representing the rest of the world. Pondexter, who was one of 12 WNBA players competing, shot an outstanding 62.5 percent performance from behind the arc as the World team defeated Europe, 93-80.
"It's a great experience to be among the best players in the world," Pondexter told FIBAEurope.com after the victory. "This All-Star Game is a good stepping stone for the Year of Women's Basketball."
This past summer, Pondexter completed her rookie season as a member of the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury. An All-Rookie Team selection, the 5-9 guard finished fourth in the league in scoring (19.5 ppg), sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2) and 10th in free-throw percentage (.853). She also averaged 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest. Selected to the Western Conference team for the 2006 WNBA All-Star Game, Pondexter established a rookie scoring record when she poured in 35 points in a 91-76 victory at Detroit July 6.
The second overall selection of the 2006 WNBA Draft, Pondexter also became just the third player in league history to register back-to-back 30-point games (Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes).
During her Rutgers career, Pondexter played in 121 games, making 103 starts, and averaged 18.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game. She finished her time "On the Banks" first in three-point field-goal percentage (164-385, .426), second in scoring (2,211), free throws made (427), field goals made (810) and field goals attempted (1,768). She was also third in scoring average (18.3 ppg), three-point field goals made (164) and free throws attempted (539), fourth in three-point field goals attempted (385), fifth in assists (470), tied for sixth in free-throw percentage (427-539, .792) and tied for seventh in steals (213) on the RU career charts.
