Monarchs draft picks bring WNBA game to camp

The long and short of Monarchs newcomers – Izabela Piekarska and A'Quonesia Franklin – could not look more different.

Both 22-year-olds played college basketball in Texas. They dreamed of someday reaching the WNBA and were third-round picks in this month's draft.

That's where the similarities end. Piekarska is a 6-foot-6 center from Poland. Franklin is a 5-3 point guard from Tyler, Texas, near Dallas.

Fitting somewhere in between is Charel Allen, a lithe 5-11 guard out of Notre Dame. But after the offseason departures of center Yolanda Griffith and backup point guard Kristin Haynie, the Monarchs have openings. That gives hope to all three prospects.

"I like a lot what I see," general manager John Whisenant said after a recent practice.

Known as "Iza" (pronounced Ee-za), Piekarska switched to basketball from volleyball at age 14. A year later, she was a member of Poland's national team and started thinking seriously about a WNBA career.

"In Europe, everyone knows the WNBA is the most prestigious league in the world," she said. "All the best players are in this league. All the little girls (who play basketball) in Poland dream of getting to the WNBA."

That includes her cousin, Dominica, who is 6 feet tall at age 13. "When I got drafted, I suddenly became her idol," Piekarska said.

UTEP scouts spotted Piekarska during the world championships and offered her a scholarship. Marta Dydek, the sister of longtime WNBA and Polish center Margo Dydek, and Kasia Krezel, Piekarska's high school teammate in Warsaw, also played for UTEP.

Whisenant compared Piekarska to former Kings center Vlade Divac.

"I love the European-ness of her game," he said. "She's a Vlade – a big post player who can shoot from the outside and pass."

So far in camp, both guards also have impressed Whisenant.

"I was really surprised we got her in the third round," he said of Allen. "She'll have to beat out a veteran (to make the final roster), but she may be able to do it."

Franklin's unusual first name has spawned many nicknames.

"Aqua, Water, H2O; I hear them all," she said. "Aquafina, Aqua Velva; it's kind of crazy."

Always among the shortest players on the court, Franklin has come up big. She averaged 7.9 points and 4.7 assists in her senior season at Texas A&M. Still, she's fueled by people's doubts.

"It's motivation," she said. "I proved I could play at the collegiate level, and now I'm taking that next step. I know I have a chance."

Whisenant likes her moves.

"If you're not going to be a big guard, you might as well be built like a tank – close to the ground and strong," he said. "She doesn't get knocked off kilter."

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