Hi Guys,

I hope everyone has enjoyed their turkey day and are getting in the mood for the holiday season. I have to say, my Thanksgiving was awesome this year!

Some of my close friends and teammates came by to eat and hang out with me at my home. It’s always hard during this time since we are all away from our families. However, we surely enjoy each other’s company and make the most of it.

This year, Lisa, my bestie, came over and threw down in the kitchen as always. I added my two cents with my infamous banana pudding recipe that my aunt gave me. I must say, it was a success and had days of Thanksgiving left overs.

When we last talked, I explained how exciting it is to play against friends and my teammates of the New York Liberty. My first match was against Essence Carson (Istanbul Universities) in Turkish League play. I thought it was a challenging match but we held on to win the game. The atmosphere was great and I look forward to seeing her on their home floor.

Last night, I got the pleasure to play against Plenette Pierson (Good Angels) in Euroleague competition. This game came down to the wire but again, we prevailed. I love my sisters and enjoy competing against them in different uniforms but I am truly glad we’re all in it together.

This year, in Turkey, there is no time to enjoy the holidays in the States because we will be playing. There is no break. This is one of the hardest parts sometimes but honestly I have to play because of contractual obligations. I know my family understands and we will make up for it in due time.

Lastly, I’m excited to say my birthday is coming soon and I’ll be turning the big “30.” I have to bring it in with a big bang! Thinking of ideas and plans right now as I write.

If you have any ideas feel free to Twitter them to me @Cappa23. Although I’m nervous about leaving my twenties, my friends keep saying “the thirties are the new twenties.” Definitely have to laugh at this one but I am blessed to say I’m almost able to reach that age.

Well, until then…we chat again.

I love you guys and make sure you’re always smiling and spreading love the right way.

CP23
www.facebook.com/CappiePondexter

WOW, WHAT AN AWESOME SUMMER I EXPERIENCED THIS YEAR WITH THE NEW YORK LIBERTY. WE WERE THE ONLY TEAM WITH A LOSING RECORD WHO MANAGED TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. I’M MENTIONING THIS BECAUSE WE WENT FROM BEING THE LAST PLACE TEAM IN THE EAST…TO TIEING FOR THIRD…TO EVENTUALLY SECURING THE LAST PLAYOFF SPOT!

IN THE 2ND HALF OF THE SEASON, WE FINISHED WITH THE 2ND OVERALL BEST RECORD IN THE WNBA, WHICH IN MY OPINION SHOWED THE HARD WORK, TOUGHNESS AND DETERMINATION AS A TEAM. AS THE TEAM LEADER, I REDIRECTED ALOT OF MY TIME AND EFFORTS INTO MAKING MYSELF BETTER AS WELL FOR THE TEAM! UNFORTUNATELY WE WERE ELIMINATED IN THE 1ST ROUND BUT WE GAVE ALL THAT WE COULD!

AS A PROFESSIONAL WOMEN BASKETBALL PLAYER, THERE IS LITTLE ROOM FOR RECOVERY. I HAD TO JUMP ON A PLANE AND HEAD TO ANOTHER TEAM IN ANOTHER COUNTRY. THE TEAM THAT I’M CURRENTLY PLAYING FOR IS FENERBACHE KOLUBU IN ISTANBUL. NOT ONLY DID I LEAVE NY BUT ALSO I WAS QUICKLY THROWN INTO A VERY IMPORTANT GAME THAT KICKS OFF THE SEASON HERE IN TURKEY, WHICH IS THE PRESIDENT’S CUP. LAST YEAR’S FINALISTS FACING OFF TO WIN THE 1ST CUP OF THE YEAR AND HAVE THE BRAGGING RIGHTS UNTIL THE NEXT CUP IS UPON US.

HERE IN EUROPE, I COMPETE FOR TWO LEAGUES; ONE BEING THE TURKISH LEAGUE WHERE WE TRAVEL ALL AROUND TURKEY. THE OTHER BEING, THE EUROLEAGUE WHERE WE (MY TEAM) TRAVEL ALL AROUND EUROPE COMPETING FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. IT’S THE ULTIMATE BECAUSE I LOVE TO TRAVEL AND EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT CULTURES WHILE DOING WHAT I LOVE (BASKETBALL).

LIVING IN ISTANBUL AND NEW YORK IS THE GREATEST FEELING. TWO SIDES OF THE WORLD BUT LIVING THE SAME LIFESTYLE AND VIBE. ISTANBUL AND NEW YORK ARE SO SIMILAR IN TERMS OF SHOPPING, LIFESTYLE, NIGHT LIFE AND DINING EXPERIENCES. I ENJOY BOTH PLACES TO BE HONEST.

THIS YEAR, I AM PLAYING IN A TOTALLY NEW ARENA! I LITERALLY CAN WALK FROM MY HOME TO THE ARENA, WHICH IS TIRING, BUT DEFINITELY A PLUS COMPARED TO OTHER PLAYERS LOL.

JOBS CHANGE SO MUCH IN WOMEN BASKETBALL THAT YOU MEET AND SEE SO MANY OF YOUR BASKETBALL FRIENDS. THIS YEAR IT’S GREAT BECAUSE I GET THE CHANCE TO SEE SO MANY OF MY NEW YORK LIBERTY TEAMMATES AND 4SEASON CLIENTS. I.E ESSENCE CARSON IS PLAYING HERE IN TURKEY, PLENETTE PIERSON I’M PLAYING AGAINST IN EUROLEAGUE, KIA VAUGHN IS HERE PLAYING AGAINST OUR RIVAL TEAM GALA AND I WILL GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HER AROUND MY CITY HERE IN ISTANBUL. THIS IS ALWAYS THE BEST. I LOVE TO SEE THEM AND CATCH UP ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE TO LEAVE NEW YORK AND COMPETE FOR OTHER TEAMS SO QUICKLY.

MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION OUTSIDE OF BASKETBALL IS MY COMPANY… 4SEASON STYLE MANAGEMENT IS MY COMPANY WITH A BUSINESS PARTNER. IT’S MY BABY, MY 2ND LOVE AND SOMETHING I ADMIRE AND TREASURE. OF COURSE, ITS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO ALWAYS BE PRESENT FOR DIFFERENT SHOOTS, PULLS, ETC ETC BUT I LOVE DOING MY PART WITH ARTIST & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, CREATIVE INPUT AND BRINGING THE BEST I CAN. THIS SUMMER, I WAS PROUD TO SEE MY COMPANY’S GROWTH FROM ONE CLIENT TO OVER A DOZEN AND GROWING RANGING FROM ATHLETES, RECORDING ARTISTS, MODELS AND PRODUCT LINES.

OF COURSE, WHEN I’M IN EUROPE MY PART BECOMES A LITTLE DIFFERENT BUT I’M STILL VERY MUCH ACTIVE IN DAILY DECISIONS. THIS IS WHY I THANK GOD FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY. THIS IS WHERE I BECOME AN INTERNET JUNKY!! I FELL IN LOVE WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT BLOGS AND SHOPPING WEBSITES. I CREATE NEW IDEAS AND COME UP WITH DIFFERENT INSPIRATIONS FOR EDITORIALS AND FOR OUR CLIENTS. I LOVE FASHION AND I ENJOY BECOMING BETTER FOR THE COMPANY’S GROWTH PROCESS.

THIS YEAR, I PLAN TO DO ALOT MORE SHOOTING HERE IN EUROPE THAN WE HAVE EVER DONE SO I’M DEFINITELY EXCITED ABOUT THIS…

LAST BUT NOT LEAST I WANTED YOU GUYS TO KNOW EVEN THOUGH I’M STILL PLAYING IN EUROPE FOR ANOTHER TEAM. I’M MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY GETTING READY FOR A HUGE YEAR IN NEW YORK. I’M EXCITED ABOUT HAVING BILL LAIMBEER JOIN US AND I’M MORE THEN CONFIDENT HE WILL MAKE US A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM!

UNTIL NEXT TIME, CREATE THE ENERGY YOU WANT TO HAVE IN YOUR LIFE!!!!

CP23

Cappie Pondexter was named the WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the week of September 10th! Read the write-up below:

NEW YORK, September 17, 2012 — Cappie Pondexter of the New York Liberty and Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks were named the WNBA’s Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week presented by Boost Mobile, respectively, for games played Sept. 10 through Sep. 16.

This marks the first season that Boost Mobile – the WNBA’s leaguewide marquee partner – has presented the WNBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week awards.

For Pondexter, the Player of the Week award presented by Boost Mobile is her first of the season and the 13th of her career.

Pondexter led New York to a 2-0 record for the week as the Liberty improved to 14-17 overall, fourth best in the Eastern Conference. In the process, the seventh-year pro ranked first in the East in points (26.0 ppg) and minutes (35.5 mpg), and shared the lead in both assists (5.5 apg) and free throw percentage (1.000, 13-of-13). Pondexter, a guard, also ranked second in rebounds (9.0 rpg) and tied for fourth in three-point goal percentage (.455, 5-of-11).

A product of Rutgers University, Pondexter has led the Liberty in scoring and assists in each of its last four games, including 22-point and 30-point efforts this past week, both vs. Washington. Pondexter’s 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists helped New York open the week with a 75-62 home victory over the Mystics. She then logged a double-double, including game highs of 30 points, 11 boards, and five assists as the Liberty earned a 75-68 win in the nation’s capital. With one week remaining in the regular season, Pondexter ranks third in the WNBA in scoring with 20.7 points per outing and is tied for ninth in assists (4.3 apg).

Check out Nick Hamilton for NHExperience TV’s interview with Cappie Pondexter on the Olympic team, the mid-season break, and the second half of the 2012 WNBA season.

WNBA.com included Cappie Pondexter in the Supernatural Players profile set, presented by Sims! Check out Cappie’s special player profile here:                                        http://www.wnba.com/supernatural/cappie_pondexter.html

 By Ryan Wood, iHoops.com

Cappie Pondexter has enjoyed a professional basketball career many girls strive for.

The 5-foot-9 guard out of Rutgers has played six years in the WNBA and has been one of the league’s best players each season. Her best scoring output came in 2010, her first year with the New York Liberty. That season, she averaged 21.4 points per game and hit a career-best 43 percent of her 3-point shots.

Pondexter was so determined to make the WNBA that when she was in high school in Chicago, she had a WNBA logo tattooed on her arm with the word “The Future” above it. True to her ink, she’s now one of the league’s best players.

Recently, Pondexter answered questions for iHoops.com on the day-to-day responsibilities of being a professional basketball player. Her answers are below:

What does it take to be a successful professional basketball player?
It takes hard work, commitment and a lot of passion.

What kind of sacrifices do you make to have a WNBA career?
The biggest is not being able to be around family and missing vacations.

What’s a typical game day like for a WNBA player? What’s a typical off day like?
On game days, I wake up and go to shootaround, eat a good meal, taking a nap then shower and listen to gospel music on the way to the arena.

On off days, I get treatment on any injuries and relax. I might head into the city to shop around and see what’s happening in the stores, or lay low and watch a movie.

What do you eat on a typical game day? What do you eat on a typical off day in the season? What do you make sure to keep in mind as far as nutrition goes?
I don’t like to feel and eat heavy before games, If I can get a Subway sandwich that’s the most amazing thing ever. If I can’t get that, the chef will cook pasta or chicken.

What is the toughest shot to defend? Who’s the best at shooting that shot? What are different ways to defend a player with an “unguardable” offensive move?
Diana Taurasi is the toughest, her release is so quick and can shoot from so deep. It’s hard to figure out where to stop her because she can drive too. Just stay aggressive and give it your all, your best. Whatever happens, happens.

Cappie Pondexter was featured in a Fortune/CNN Money piece on marketing female athletes. The story focuses on women in sports who are great examples of managing success, money, and business in today’s society. Check out Cappie’s feature below:

Making a living as a female sports brand

Cappie Pondexter makes her living, mostly, on the basketball court. In her workout clothes, sitting in the team’s Greenburgh, N.Y. practice gym, the 29-year-old point guard smiles big, talks low, and exudes the kind of quiet confidence of someone who is used to being better at the things she does than those around her. When her team, the New York Liberty, played the Seattle Storm in June, she would sometimes make her defenders look like they were caught in freeze-frame while she cut through them like butter, taking the ball to the paint to score.

A top WNBA player like Pondexter does not wield the same kind of branding power as a NBA player, at least not yet.

Cappie Pondexter

Pondexter says she learned just how hard women athletes have to work to build a marketable personal brand after she joined the league.

“When I was younger, I had the tom boy thing going on,” she says. “I don’t know if you remember Aaliyah, always in Tommy Hilfiger boxers, big baggy shorts and hats? I was like that growing up.” When she left the U.S. in the offseason to play in Europe, she says, she started paying more attention to fashion.

About 80% of WNBA players play overseas to supplement their income. Over there, she’s a celebrity, Pondexter says. There’s not such a big discrepancy in respect paid to men’s versus women’s teams. Part of that might be because there’s more money available for female players as private investors and governments heavily fund many European women’s basketball teams.

“We work for three months and the amount of money we get for three months is damn good,” Pondexter says. “But in Europe, it’s a totally different lifestyle. I mean, you’re making six figures over there.”

To further supplement her income, Pondexter started an image consulting company for young athletes called 4 Season Style Management. There’s a need for it, she thinks, because, “A lot of times, coming out of college — this is even speaking for myself and my own experience — you don’t realize the importance of your image,” Pondexter says. “And your brand is what people want to invest in, and that’s money, you know what I mean?”

It can be tough to brand a female basketball player, she says, because the sport is so aggressive. “So a lot of times, fans don’t relate feminism and that aggressiveness all in one. Me personally, I kind of take it as a challenge.”

Cappie Pondexter – Driving The Lane

Cappie Pondexter was recently featured on lipstickalley.com to discuss her beauty secrets and some of her favorite products. Find her beauty breakdown interview below:

“Skincare is important to me, I sweat a lot on the court and it dries my skin. So having a good regimen is critical.”

“For my sensitive face, its Darphin’s Intral Cleansing Milk, Toner, and Redness Relief.

“I love Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Souffle Body Creme. The vanilla scent smells amazing.”

“I’m not too out there with makeup, a simple tinted moisturizer, eyeliner, and tinted lipglass work for me.” Her favorites: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Walnut, MAC Liquid Eyeliner in Black, and MAC Tinted Lipglass in Mad Cap.”

“I feel naked when my nails aren’t polished, I love bright colors. Two shades one from O.P.I. and the other is from Essie are my absolute favorites. Need Sunglasses (O.P.I.) and Aruba Blue (Essie).”

“My hair can understandably be a hot mess on the court, but I usually keep it together in my daily life”

“I wear extensions during the game season, they are easier to maintain for me. My hair underneath is strong and healthy, thanks to my hair stylist, Edris Nichols.”

“Between visits to her, I maintain my hair with Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Herbal Shampoo and Rosemary Mint Purifying Conditioner.”

“I love to experiment with my look, I have been blond, had braids, worn a turban, half shaved mohawk, and super short “halle berry” cut. Life is meant to be lived, I rock my hair in the style I want to, not how others think it should look.”

Cappie Pondexter and her 4Season Style Management team styled a great photo shoot with client Guitars n Bandanaz, a rising hip hop/rock/soul band. Check out behind the scenes footage of the shoot:

Noted photographer Lindsay Adler was on set doing what she does best!