Stringer lands another recruit in Pondexter

In John Marshall High School senior Cappie Pondexter, the Rutgers women's basketball team has its third recruit and second guard in two weeks. Pondexter is RU's forth Chicago native in four years, and the second alumna of John Marshall High.

Senior point guard and Big East all-first team player Tasha Pointer and sophomore Kourtney Walton also hail from Chicago, while Walton is a John Marshall graduate.

On Nov. 10, Pondexter joined Chelsea Newton and Amber Petillon as the Scarlet Knights' early signees for the 2001-2002 season. According to NCAA regulations, this period lasts from last Wednesday to tomorrow.

Pondexter, a 5-foot-9 two guard, averaged 21 points and eight rebounds per game last season. She was voted Illinios' Miss Basketball and earned a slew of All-American honors including an honorable mention by USA Today, a first-team designation by Street & Smith's, an underclass All-American by Reebok/Women's Basketball Coaches Association, a Junior All-American by Student Sports and an All-American by Nike. She will join Newton as Rutgers' second backcourt recruit. The incoming freshmen should help fill the losses left by Pointer and guard Karlita Washington to graduation next year.