On her right arm, a WNBA logo and a caption that reads “The Future”, but Cappie Pondexter is the present of women’s basketball. For the 25 years has won virtually everything a player can win, but her desire of no limits in Russia and now wants to continue collecting titles.
Editorial, December 13. 2008 .- Perhaps her name did not ring them or leave them indifferent, but I assure you that this is a U.S. sports celebrity and is considered one of the best basketball player in the world, maybe the point of view and focus change . She’s Cappie Pondexter, it is the future of basketball.
Born in California but raised in Chicago, from heryoung life has always been linked to the basketball (which recognizes that wears the number 23 shirt in her honor is to Michael Jordan) and it is not surprising that her first childhood memories are attached to of a basketball. “I remember playing in the playground with my brother. Were the best memories of my childhood in Chicago, “said Pondexter one that recognizes that those first steps into the world of the basket so that the mark with only 10 years have clearly wanted to devote herself to basketball. Cappie for those years were decisive for me then devoted basketball. “
Those same streets and avenues that saw the young Pondexter grow, saw the evolution of a girl who, day by day, party to party, became a one able to challenge and promise to challenge any man in a basketball court ” I loved playing with boys. Boys are more aggressive than girls and play with them helped me be more prepared to play professionally, “said Pondexter one that recognizes that even today he likes playing against men.
But if those were important steps in the streets of Chicago was not the least of Ronald, brother and a key figure in the life of Cappie Pondexter. “It’s my best friend is like my father. He is everything. All things magical I have in basketball and in life is thanks to him and we love you so much. “
Ronald precisely is largely the fault of one of the most recognizable symbols of our protagonist, his tattoo on his right shoulder. It looks Cappie WNBA logo and a caption that reads “The Future”. Questioned about the origin of the tattoo, Cappie acknowledges that “the idea being in the car with my brother. It was my first tattoo and do not know that. We saw a few magazines and Ron told me Why do not you get the logo of the WNBA? It’s cool.. I did in’98 and motivation helped me since young. Every time I saw or thought he reminded me that I should improve each day to try to be the best in the world.”
From the streets of Chicago, Cappie Pondexter made the leap to high school where John Marshall was the incumbent in four years that was. Their individual numbers and awards (she was the first player in the state will be named Miss Basketball twice -2000 and 2001 – as well as being chosen player of the year in Illinois in 2001) did not go unnoticed for universities. In those early years of school, and ensure their entry into the Rutgers University in New Jersey, recalls Cappie had the opportunity to know that today is one of his best friends, Diana Taurasi. “It’s one of my best friends. I know from our school days and since then we have always maintained a great relationship. “
With the “Scarlet Knight” from Rutgers University, Cappie continued collecting individual successes in their rookie year took the award for best rookie in the Big East conference. Cappie was prominent not only at the individual level (18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game) but that changed the history of the university. With their presence, Rutgers went on a year of a modest record of 9-20 to a surprising 21-8 progression myor be produced in the history of your conference.
That first season would be the beginning a few years where the fame and success of Cappie Pondexter recorrerían country. In 2006 she won the title of best player in the Big East conference and became the first player in history to be here four years of college in the best team in the conference. Moreover, in addition to his university conference titles won in 2005 and 2006.
With a reputation based on successful titles, Cappie Pondexter jumped to the WNBA with a sign and an unbeatable team where reunited with his great friend Diana Taurasi. Beside it, Cappie again change the story of a losing team and in just two years, Phoenix Mercury went from being out of the Playoffs to win the WNBA title.
In those two years as a professional, Pondexter got one of the most important milestones to which you can get a basketball player, winning the WNBA title and being selected MVP of the finals averaging 21 points, 5.6 rebounds and three assitencias by match. A dream come true for 24 years. “It was a great moment, but so was getting the Olympic gold medal. If I had to stay with only one point, I definitely left with the Beijing Olympic medal, “said Cappie. And is that in this dizzying career path is your sport, the next stop was the success of the gold medal in Beijing.
There, along with a unique constellation of stars able to reissue the history of the U.S. women’s basketball after the failure in the global 2006. In Beijing, the selection of female United States presented a history comparable only to the legendary men’s team of Barcelona 92. “I think both teams are authentic ‘Dream Team’. Obviously there have been only a ‘Dream Team’ and that was the Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, but we have our propio’Dream Team ‘with Diana Taurasi, Lisa Leslie, Delisha Milton-Jones … all of them are great players so I think both are great teams. “
Within the track, Cappie Pondexter is known for its competitive nature, untiring struggle and voracious appetite for scoring (he has multiple scoring records in both college and the WNBA). Some characteristics of a “killer” as contrasted with the Cappie relaxed, fun and quiet that are far from the park.
A Cappie likes defined as “a person who likes to make silly. I want to be near my friends, be funny, and whenever I can, pasármelo well and enjoy. ” Your video alongside her friend Diana Taurasi and witness.
However, Cappie not only entertains but also enjoys her followers as one of its facets is the most famous blogger on the official site of the WNBA. Her blog is one of the most popular thanks to her and Cappie remains close to her followers. “I think it’s a good idea because you are in contact with the fans, especially with women. It is one of my biggest passions and I may be close to my fans, “she says.
Perhaps this passion for writing is related to another of her passions, poetry. Cappie is a habitual reading among his favorite books are the poetry. “I like poetry because I love to read things I open up the mind. I think it’s important to hear voices that have things to tell, especially when you’re younger. “
Internet, books and fashion. Cappie is a fan of fashion, loves going to last and it is not unusual to see it change frequently look. And that is ultimately Cappie, who always travels with her pet snooze, likes to “offer a different view and do things other than basketball.”
But between the fun, our protagonist also has its hand in solidarity and is one of the most committed players with the most disadvantaged. “I think it is important to help children. Athlete will be given the opportunity to help the community. It is important that our generation can help the next generations and so that I can always try to help the younger members of the community, “she said.
Returning to the United States after the Olympics, Cappie Pondexter went one of the most frustrating of her career. And despite starting as the current champions and train alongside Diana Taurasi, the pair of leading scorer in the league, the Mercury were eliminated on the first shift without even having the opportunity to fight to defend the crown in Playoffs . “It was a disappointment because we came to win the ring and not even go into Playoffs. These things sometimes happen, but we are sure that next year will be different and will be a great season for us. “
Nevertheless, few can stick it to the career of Cappie Pondexter. Years ago a journalist asked them that their career goals and Cappie responded to win the WNBA and an Olympic gold medal. With 25 years had already fulfilled their dream girl, but wants more Cappie and his eagerness to win, do not stop here. “My career is not yet complete, I want to win more titles. I want to win everything in which to compete and I want to leave my footprint in Europe, so I would like to win the Euroleague and the Russian league.. “
On her return to Europe, CP23 (with the nickname that is also known) has launched a new phase and, after leaving behind two successful years in Turkey, Cappie Pondexter is disputing the Euroleague with the powerful Russian UMMC Ekaterinburg. A Cappie things can go well in her first Russian experience and that she is a great season. Yekaterinburg is a great team and have a great organization that helps the player only cares about playing. It is an experience something different, but I feel like I have Encas and Penny Taylor as a companion (fellow teammates in Phoenix Mercury). “
In Yekaterinburg, Pondexter tries to replicate the wonderful years lived in Turkey a country where sporting ripped and won the hearts of fans for that Cappie is simply the best. “In Turkey we get two leagues, won all the titles and made a large role in Euroleague. Were actually two great years at Fenerbahçe, “she says.
Now the challenge is greater because Cappie Pondexter is a step in his career and seeks to reign in Europe with a team whose level of demand is the highest level. “The goal can only be winning everything. League Euroleague … we want to be the best. Obviously we have great players and we go over, this is an incredible team, “she says.
As is his incredible career with just 25 years. However, Cappie is not satisfied with the achievements so far and wants to hang up her boots when it is remembered as one of the biggest. “No matter what happens in the future, I want you to remember me as a winner, a player who struggled because their teams were winning and always tried to be a better player and win all the matches,” she says. For now, her star quality and good guide career of one of the most spectacular players who are currently on the international scene. Her tattoo talks about future of their game here. Google translation.
Álvaro Paricio
ACB.COM
http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=53827