Pondexter Captures Gold With Team USA
Aug 23 | Women's Basketball
BEIJING, China - Former Rutgers women's basketball standout Cappie Pondexter and her United States teammates captured the Olympic gold with a 92-65 victory over previously unbeaten Australia on Saturday night at Wukesong Arena in Beijing, China.
The U.S. grabbed its fourth straight gold medal in Olympic Games and its third consecutive win over Australia in the gold medal game.
Pondexter scored four points in 10 minutes of play, going 2-of-5 from the floor with a steal. The U.S. reserves outscored the Aussie subs, 59-11.
The Chicago, Illinois native, who earned a degree in Africa Studies from Rutgers in 2006, averaged 6.4 points in eight games for Team USA. Pondexter logged 11.8 minutes per game in Olympic play, shooting 57.9 percent from the field and adding 2.1 assists per contest.
Previously, Pondexter captured gold with Team USA at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship (Olympic qualifier), the 2005 World University Games and the 2003 FIBA World Championship For Young Women (U21). In addition, she was won gold at the 2002 World Championship for Young Women Qualifying Tournament (U20) and the 2000 Junior World Championship Qualifying Tournament (U18).
Pondexter was a first team All-American selection following her senior season. A unanimous selection for the 2006 BIG EAST Player of the Year award, Pondexter became the first player in league history to earn a spot on the All-BIG EAST first team all four years and grab BIG EAST All-Tournament Team honors four straight seasons.
With Pondexter on the floor from 2002-2006, the Scarlet Knights won 97 contests. In addition, RU captured the 2005 and 2006 BIG EAST Conference championships, competed in four NCAA Tournaments, reaching the 2005 Elite Eight. Pondexter was the second overall pick in the WNBA Draft in 2006 by the Phoenix Mercury. She helped lead the Mercury to the 2007 WNBA Championships, collecting the Most Valuable Player trophy.
