Mid-June Update on Former Rutgers Stars in WNBA

Added by Gregg Snyder on June 19, 2012.

New York Liberty guard, Cappie Pondexter.

The Rutgers University Women’s Basketball program has it’s fair share of former stars currently playing in the WNBA. The seven former Scarlet Knights have been enjoying success in professional basketball, including this season. It’s worth taking a look at and, if you are a Rutgers sports fan, you should be following these ladies through their careers.

The New York Liberty have three of the seven former Knights on their roster. I’m sure the ladies enjoy playing near home, but the Liberty are off to a disappointing 3-7 start in 2012. Point guard Cappie Pondexter is the biggest name and the brightest star for New York. Pondexter has started all ten games this season, averaging 33.9 minutes per contest. She is averaging 18.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Pondexter, who, in my opinion, was snubbed from the Olympic team, is shooting 87% from the free throw line this season, but has not yet found her shot consistently, shooting just 41% from the floor.

Joining her on the Liberty are Essence Carson and Kia Vaughn. Both players have appeared in all 10 of the teams games this season and each has six starts to their name. Carson, in her sixth WNBA season, is averaging 10.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 25.4 minutes per game. She’s also dishing out two assists per game. Vaughn, in her third year, is producing 9.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks this season.

April Sykes is in her rookie season for the Los Angeles Sparks. She’s still finding her footing, but doing a nice job. Shooting just 31% from the floor, once she finds her shot, Sykes will gain more and more playing time. She has appeared in all ten games off the bench, averaging 7.6 minutes and 2.0 points.

Epiphanny Prince has been having an All-Star caliber season. Unfortunately for her and the Chicago Sky, Prince suffered a fractured right foot in the first quarter of Saturday’s game and will require surgery. She will be out 6-8 weeks. Prince had been leading the league in scoring at the time of her injury but was since overtaken. She is averaging 22.3 points per game through the first nine games as Chicago got off to a 7-2 start. Prince is also averaging 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.0 steals in 31.7 minutes per game. She was shooting 51% from the field, 54% from three point range, and 86% from the free throw line. Hopefully she can get back quickly.

Tammy Sutton-Brown is the veteran of the group. In her 11th season, Sutton-Brown is averaging 16.7 minutes per game for the Indiana Fever. She has appeared in seven games, including six starts and averages 4.4 points and 2.9 rebounds from the center position.

Matee Ajavon is in her fourth year with the Washington Mystics. Ajavon has started two games and appeared in seven for an average of 22.4 minutes per. She has been performing well on the floor, averaging 11 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game.

You could certainly build a solid team with just former Rutgers players, especially with Prince healthy. It will be fun to watch the WNBA season progress and follow these stars.