WNBA's Pondexter looks to score style points on court and off

Many people are working multiple jobs in this economy.

Cappie Pondexter may be an elite professional basketball player, but she's no exception.

And, as of Tuesday, after she and her New York Liberty teammates were eliminated from the WNBA playoffs by the Atlanta Dream, in spite of her 36 points, she's turning her attention to that second job.

It's a job that has nothing to do with basketball.

Pondexter, a Chicago native and former Marshall High School star, used to play for the Phoenix Mercury. After leading her team to league championships in 2007 and 2009, she sent out shock waves just weeks before the start of the season in April when she demanded a trade to New York.

Many assumed it was a move fueled by her desire to get top billing.

In Phoenix, Pondexter, an all-star in all of her five WNBA seasons, shared the spotlight with fellow guard Diana Taurasi, also one of the best players in the world.

While it is true that Pondexter may have wanted her "own" team, she also wanted a piece of what she believes only the Big Apple can offer.

Pondexter, a self-proclaimed fashionista when not wearing her jersey, baggy shorts and hightops, is an aspiring clothing designer and stylist.

She has started her own image consulting business and believes that being in New York, the fashion capital of the world, will help her grow it.

She says she's setting herself up for a future well beyond basketball.

"Most people think fashion and women's basketball shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath," Pondexter has said. "(But Pondexter is) someone who's more than a baller. I have a passion for fashion, as I have a passion for basketball. I love the art of it all and all the different feels one piece of clothing can provide. I decided to make this company a reality."

Pondexter says she invested approximately $60,000 into the creation of 4 Season Style Management. It's a firm that provides fashion styling, image consulting and personal shopping to athletes, celebrities, musicians and everyday people who need help dressing for work.

Not surprisingly, athletes are Pondexter's specialty. She says she's often asked by her peers in the league about her personal style and fashion, which has been her company's most effective form of advertising.

Several WNBA players, such as Ebony Hoffman and Tammy Sutton-Brown, are already clients.

"For me, it's important because there's this perception about women's basketball players and that definitely needs to change," Pondexter said. "I'm not a girlie person, I'm a tomboy. But I still want to look like a lady. It's an issue where (WNBA players) need help sometimes. I can admit that. It's important to develop an image."

Just win: For now, players for the Atlanta Dream and the Seattle Storm will be happy if they finish this WNBA season with simply a winning image.

The Dream and Storm will tip off the WNBA Finals at 2 p.m. on Sunday (Channel 7) in Seattle.

The Storm, led by Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird, has homecourt advantage in the best-of-five series after finishing with the best regular season record in the league at 28-6.

Jackson, a versatile forward from Australia who was recently named the WNBA's most valuable player, is widely considered one of the best players in the world.

With her bloodlines, it's no surprise.

Jackson's mother Maree played basketball at LSU in the 1970s and was a big star for the Australian national team. Her father Gary also played for the Australian national team, and Jackson spent much of her childhood hanging out in gyms while her parents practiced.

Meanwhile, the Dream was an expansion team just three years ago. Former Chicago Sky guard Armintie Price is one of the first players off the bench.

pbabcock@dailyherald.com