March 24--Cappie Pondexter had just officially introduced herself to Chicago media as a member of the Chicago Sky, when a cameraman remarked that the Marshall High School product brought familiar expectations: "That's that Derrick Rose pressure. Hometown girl."
Pondexter laughed, the crowd laughed, and the Sky guard reached over to a nearby wall and knocked on imaginary wood.
"Well, he started his professional career (here), I'm just ending mine," she said.
Pondexter brings high expectations. Last month Coach Pokey Chatman traded two-time All-Star Epiphanny Prince for the nine-year veteran who brings the experience of two championships.
"You know they say there's a time and a place for everything, and I was thinking about this while I sat on a plane (from Louisiana) for two hours: This is the time and this is the place for Cappie to be as we try to achieve our everything," Chatman said.
She added that Pondexter signed a multi-year deal but declined to give specifics, citing league policy.
Pondexter said her family was excited to have her back home and added, "I think Chicago has all the necessary skills, tools, coaching staff, to get it done. When Pokey asked would I come and play, pretty much it was a done deal."
Pondexter said she has watched the Sky steadily build a title contender over the last 10 years with key pieces that have included Sylvia Fowles and Elena Delle Donne, among others.
"Being able to play with those two players I think is going to raise our game to a whole other level," she said.
