The Liberty’s Cappie Pondexter, a former Rutgers star, has been named one of the Top 15 players in WNBA history.

The other picks: Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi, Seattle’s Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson and Katie Smith; Los Angeles’ Tina Thompson and Ticha Penicheiro; Indiana’s Tamika Catchings; San Antonio’s Becky Hammon; Tulsa’s Sheryl Swoopes; and retired greats Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, Dawn Staley, Yolanda Griffith and Teresa Weatherspoon.

The list was selected by coaches, players, members of the media and fans as the league celebrates its 15th anniversary. The picks were honored at halftime today during the WNBA All-Star Game.

Pondexter has been an WNBA All-Star in five of her six seasons. She played with the Phoenix Mercury from 2006-09 — helping them to WNBA titles in 2007 and 2009. She was then traded to the Liberty in 2010.
Bird, Catchings, Cooper, Griffith, Jackson, Leslie, Smith, Staley, Swoopes and Thompson were also voted to the league’s All-Decade team five years ago.

The 2011 WNBA All-Star Game will be nationally broadcast on ABC, Saturday, July 23, at 3:30 p.m. ET. It is the first time the San Antonio Silver Stars are hosting the midseason showcase.

In addition to Catchings (19,943), leading vote-getters by position in the Eastern Conference include guards Cappie Pondexter of the New York Liberty (11,859) and Katie Douglas of the Indiana Fever (11,217), forward Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta Dream (8,912) and center Tina Charles of the Connecticut Sun (9,837).

The 60 players included on the ballot represent all 12 WNBA teams. Voters are asked to select two guards, two forwards, and one center from each conference. A write-in option is also available, allowing fans to choose players not listed on the ballot.

Cappie Pondexter scored 22 points to lead the New York Liberty to a 77-67 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Sunday.

Essence Carson had 18 points, Plenette Pierson added 16 and the Liberty (4-4) got their first win at Prudential Center, their new home for the next three seasons while Madison Square Garden undergoes renovations during the summers. New York had lost its first two at home earlier this month.

Cappie Pondexter was nominated as one of the most influential players in WNBA history. That’s quite an achievement for someone who still has a long career ahead of her.

To celebrate its 15^th season the WNBA has decided to honor the 15 most influential players in league history. A total of 30 players were nominated. WNBA fans, current players and coaches will have the opportunity to vote for the final 15 players. Fans can vote for their favorite players of all time once per day by logging on to www.WNBA.com/top15players. The final selections will be announced and honored on July 23^rd at WNBA all-star game in San Antonio.

Former Rutgers All-American and current New York Liberty star Cappie Pondexter has been nominated for an ESPY Award and is also a finalist for the Top-15 players in WNBA history. Fans can vote for both awards, helping Pondexter add to an already decorated list of accolades in her young career.

In addition to Pondexter, the category for Best WNBA Player includes Tamika Catchings, Lauren Jackson and Diana Taurasi. The nominations are based on last season’s performances, in which Pondexter ended the year as the league’s second-leading scorer with 21.4 points per game. She was also sixth in assists with 4.85 per game.

To vote for the ESPY, click the following link: http://espn.go.com/espys/#!/voting/.