Knights in the Pros: WNBA underway

As all but two teams have been eliminated in their quest for an NBA championship, while the WNBA has just begun it’s 2017 campaign. Seven former Lady Knights are lacing them up, some of which pull double duty in European leagues during the winter time. So far a former Rutgers player is in the top five in assists, steals, and three point percentage, keep up the solid play, ladies!

Cappie Pondexter continues to produce with a league leading 8.3 assists per game in 2017. After a busy last 12 months that saw her named one of the 20 greatest players in WNBA history, she had her jersey retired at Rutgers. The seven time all-star and one-time finals MVP continues to climb the record books, averaging 14 points and 3.4 rebounds in a staggering 35.1 minutes per game at age 34 in her home city of Chicago.

Essence Carson has now reached a decade in the league and currently sits in 5th place for highest three point percentage among qualifiers. Not known as a sharpshooter when she arrived on the banks, Carson has truly worked to become an all-around player. After beginning her career with the Liberty, she now has started every game the last two seasons for the Los Angeles Sparks, averaging 7.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game on the young season as they look to defend their 2016 WNBA title.

Matee Ajavon now in her 10th season in the association, is no longer the player who averaged a career high 14.7 points per game back in 2011. She’s in her 4th year with the Atlanta Dream who boast a 4-2 record to start the season. The product of Malcolm X Shabazz still plays year round, in the winter as a member of the Turkish league.

Kia Vaughn was re-acquired by the Liberty in January, the hometown team who drafted her originally. She has recently returned to the team after representing the Czech squad in the European championship. Now in her 9th year, the post presence averages 6.5 points and 4 rebounds per contest as the Liberty look to reach the finals after disappointing playoff performance each of the last two seasons.

Epiphanny Prince paces the former Knights with a 15.8 points per game average in her 7th year. She’s also averaging 3.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and is third in the league with 2.2 steals per game. Playing for her hometown New York Liberty after being traded for Cappie Pondexter oddly enough, the two time all-star shows no signs of slowing down either. Unfortunately for the Liberty, she like Vaughn has been travelling back and forth to compete in Europe. Prince represents the Russian team.

Erica Wheeler is in her 3rd year in the league, second full season with the Indiana Fever. After averaging over 8 points per game a year ago as a primary starter, she has been serving as the team’s 6th woman in 2017. Averaging 6.4 points per contest, the 5’7 sparkplug did explode for 14 points along with 5 rebounds in a May 24 win against LA.

Kahleah Copper is a tremendous athlete in the same mold as Carson. She is also a member of the Chicago Sky averaging 5.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game as a wing. In only her second season, she will likely get more playing time if her team continues to struggle.

Rachel Hollivay is also only in her second year in the league alongside Ajavon on the Dream. The 6’4 center’s opportunities have been limited so far since the team has been doing so well, but across her short career she is among the league leaders in rebounds per minute.

So tune in, go to the games, or follow online, the ladies all appreciate your support. It should be a good season!