The Rutgers Scarlet Knights women’s basketball program is rich with history. For a lengthy period of time, they enjoyed a lot of success under legendary head coach C. Vivian Stringer. Inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, Stringer was on the sidelines for the Scarlet Knights for a whopping 27 seasons spanning from 1995-96 to 2021-22. She was on the winning side 547 times during her time at the school and reached the NCAA Tournament 17 times. Rutgers was able to reach the Final Four in 2000 and 2007, the latter of those years making it to the national championship game.
Rutgers has had many incredible athletes throughout the years play for their women’s basketball team. Creating an all-time starting five leaves off a lot of wonderful players, including many who have spent time in the WNBA. Apologies to Kahleah Copper, Tammy Sutton-Brown, Epiphanny Prince, Matee Ajavon, Tyler Scaife, and others who deserved a lot of consideration to be on here.
Rutgers Women’s Basketball All-Time Starting 5
Guard – Tasha Pointer (1997-98 to 2000-01)
A maestro at the point, Tasha Pointer has nearly 300 more assists (839) than the next closest woman in school history. A pest on the defensive end as well, Pointer averaged 2.3 steals per contest over her four seasons. Rutgers reached a Final Four and two Sweet 16s with Pointer around. She was named to two All-Big East First Teams and two Second Teams.
Guard – Cappie Pondexter (2002-03 to 2005-06)
Cappie Pondexter was a superb scorer and outside shooter in her time with the Scarlet Knights. During her four years, she averaged 18.3 points and shot 42.6% from beyond the arc. In her senior year, Pondexter was named Big East Player of the Year. Rutgers reached the Elite Eight in her junior season. In her 121 collegiate games, she also averaged 4.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.8 steals.
Forward – Essence Carson (2004-05 to 2007-08)
Essence Carson hounded the opposition on the defensive end. It helped lead her to becoming a three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. As a senior, Rutgers reached the national championship game. Carson received All-Big East honors three times (once First Team, twice Second Team). She posted averages of 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 blocks over her four years.
Forward – Sue Wicks (1984-85 to 1987-88)
Sue Wicks holds the Rutgers school record for most points in men’s or women’s basketball with 2,655, and also in rebounds with 1,357. In Wicks’ sophomore and junior seasons, the Scarlet Knights reached the Elite Eight. She was named the Naismith College Player of the Year in women’s basketball as a senior in 1987-88. Wicks was a Kodak All-American each of her last three seasons with the Scarlet Knights and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
Center – Kia Vaughn (2005-06 to 2008-09)
In her sophomore season, Rutgers reached the national championship game. Kia Vaughn was the leading scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker for Rutgers that season. She was named to the All-Big East First Team in 2006-07 and Second Team in 2007-08. Vaughn is second in school history with 1,079 career rebounds. Her career averages consist of 9.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks while shooting an outstanding 55.9% from the field.
