Getting Ready for WNBA All-Star Weekend

I am feeling so much pride and excitement to be a part of the WNBA's 15th year celebration with an All-Star appearance and a Top 15 Players of All Time nomination.
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While packing for my trip to San Antonio for the 2011 WNBA All-Star weekend, a bunch of thoughts began running through my head...

What should I bring? Heels, flats, sneakers, camera, iPad, makeup... I can't wait to catch up with all the players... And then it really hit me...

I am feeling so much pride and excitement to be a part of the WNBA's 15th year celebration with an All-Star appearance and a Top 15 Players of All Time nomination.

Going back to my first All-Star appearance in 2006, I didn't know what to expect. I arrived in New York City with the desire to perform well with my new peers and secure a win for the West. To my surprise, we didn't get the win that year, but as much as I love to win, I still left Madison Square Garden with a very special memory of camaraderie and pride. It finally soaked in that I was here, a place where I had dreamed of, and I was able to play this sport that I love on the highest and most respected level with the best.

Five years later, I am still humbled to be considered one the league's top players. I work hard to develop my game, and when I looked over the list of other players on the All-Star team this year and on the Top 30 players, I recalled each player's contributions to the league and its advancement and thought "I am a part of this" and it made me very emotional. To think I am on this list with players of this caliber blows me away! I am so blessed and I am thankful for the recognition and I congratulate all of the other WNBA Top 15 nominees and All-Stars.

Although it is my fourth All-Star appearance, it is my first time as a starter and it's a great honor to be picked by the fans to represent the Eastern Conference. I am anxious to play as allies with usual opponents, and am confident that the East will be victorious! I am also excited to participate in another important part of All-Star weekend -- giving back to the community. I hear that we have several WNBA Cares events lined up, including a visit to Fort Sam Houston to meet with Wounded Warriors and a WNBA FIT Jamba Juice clinic at the AT&T Center among others. I am really looking forward to being a part of everything!

The All-Star weekend will be a great time for all the players to showcase our talents, interact with fans and mentally prepare for the second half of the season. The New York Liberty, we have been battling for that top spot. We are getting better as a team each practice, each game, and we are learning as a unit to push our abilities to the next level to get a WNBA championship.

Well, time to finish my packing but you can always stay in touch with me at www.cappiepondexter.com or www.wnba.com. Make sure you watch the game on Saturday!!

Tune in to the WNBA All-Star game Saturday at 3:30 ET on ABC.

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