Chicago Sky acquire Cappie Pondexter from New York Liberty in exchange for Epiphanny Prince
The Chicago Sky acquired veteran guard Cappie Pondexter from the New York Liberty in exchange for guard Epiphanny Prince. Per team policies, contract terms were not disclosed. Both players return to their hometowns.
“Being able to play for a team and coach with an opportunity to win a championship is exciting,” said Pondexter about the trade. “And coming home to do it is the best part.”
Entering her 10th WNBA season, Pondexter owns career averages of 18.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. She is also a two-time WNBA Champion (2007, 2009) with the Phoenix Mercury, earning the WNBA Finals MVP in 2007. She is also a six-time WNBA All-Star.
“I am thrilled to have one of the league’s most fierce competitors join our team,” said Sky head coach and general manager Pokey Chatman. “Cappie’s ability in the open court, half court, as well as on the defensive end of the floor, make us a better team. She’s an All-Star, a WNBA champion and, simply put, a winner with a hunger for greatness that can galvanize a team in its pursuit of a championship.”
After being selected by Phoenix with the second overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft, Pondexter played four seasons with the Mercury before she was sent to New York in a three-team trade on March 30, 2010. She was raised in Chicago and was the first player in state history to be named Illinois Miss Basketball twice, earning the honor in 2000 and 2001 at John Marshall High School.
Prince is a two-time WNBA All-Star (2011, 2013) and was the fourth overall pick of the Sky in 2010. A five-year WNBA veteran, she averaged 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in 2014. In her second year in the WNBA, she led the league in steals (79) and posted in the top-10 in three of her five seasons.
“Being able to return to New York and play for the Liberty at Madison Square Garden is a dream come true,” said Prince about returning to the Big Apple. “I look forward to playing in front of my friends and family and bringing a championship to my hometown.”
The Brooklyn native starred at Murry Bergtraum High School, where she won four-straight Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) Championships.
“Epiphanny is a great talent and one of the top guards in the WNBA,” said Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer. “She’s a great competitor and possesses a high basketball IQ, which are attributes that will serve her well in the transition into our system.”
The Liberty will open the 2015 regular season on Friday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden against the Atlanta Dream. The Sky’s opening night is June 5 at 7:30pm at Allstate Arena when they host the Indiana Fever in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals.
