Cappie Pondexter of Rutgers had one of the most remarkable freshman seasons in earning the 2002-03 Met Basketball Writers Association Division I Women's Player of the Year award.

The 70th annual NIT/MBWA Awards were held on Wednesday, April 30, at the Meadowlands' Pegaus West in East Rutherford, NJ.

As a first-year player, Pondexter, who was born in Oceanside, CA, but raised in Chicago, averaged 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists to lead the Scarlet Knights to a 21-7 mark and a return to the NCAA Tournament (round of 32) after missing the event the previous season.

Pondexter was a 2001 graduate of prolific John Marshall High School in Chicago, but sat out the 2001-02 season before making a splash the following year.

(note: In addition to going on to win All-Met accolades in each of her four years, Pondexter also became the first league player to be named to the All-Big East First Team four times.)