Brunson makes Monarchs fly

Rebekkah Brunson can't contain the bounce in her step or the energy in her game.

"I feel great," she exclaimed after practice in Monarchs training camp this week. "I'm so excited. I can't wait for this season to get started."

A successful season overseas and a coach ready to trust her with more offensive responsibility can do that to a player.

Also, with health problems and a critical off-court mistake behind her, Brunson seems poised to become the player her potential and flashes of brilliance have seemed to promise since she arrived in Sacramento four years ago.

"One of the most fun things has been to watch her grow up so quickly," Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek said. "To see her mature as a woman, a leader, a player; her basketball IQ has just skyrocketed. She always was a very, very good player, but now she's light years ahead of where she was last year."

Brunson, a 6-foot-2 forward, had her best season in 2007, averaging a career-high 11.5 points and finishing second in the WNBA with 8.9 rebounds. That includes a league-best 130 offensive rebounds. She compiled those numbers and was named to the All-Star team despite suffering from a stress fracture in her left leg. That injury kept Brunson out of the All-Star Game.

After her leg healed, Brunson spent seven months in southern Italy playing for Cras Basket Taranto, where she averaged about 21 points and 14 rebounds. She concentrated on scoring, almost doubling the 11.2-point average she had for Moscow Dynamo the year before.

Boucek noted that Brunson has more confidence in her offense and will be the Monarchs' No. 1 inside scoring option now that Yolanda Griffith has departed to play for Seattle.

Griffith said she believes in Brunson, too.

"Bekky is ready to step up," said Griffith, the longtime face of the Monarchs' franchise. "It's her time now. I trust in her ability. She's ready to reach for that next level."

No longer in Griffith's shadow, Brunson realizes the focus has shifted to her.

"This is my job; this is my life," the 26-year-old veteran said of basketball. "It's something I feel so passionate about. I love it with all my heart."

Brunson also played for Team USA, helping the Americans earn a berth in the 2008 Olympics. The Washington, D.C., native is on the short list of players competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, which will play in Beijing in August. The final cut for the team will be made in June or early July.

"Growing up playing ball, the Olympics is your goal," said Brunson. "It's definitely a great accomplishment to play for USA Basketball. I just hope (playing in the Olympics) becomes a reality."

Her offseason included an episode she'd like to forget. In October, just before leaving for Italy, Brunson was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence in downtown Sacramento. On Jan. 18 in Sacramento Superior Court, she pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge and was sentenced to three years' probation and 48 hours of community service.

"It's something that's now in my past," she said. "It was a mistake. I've put it behind me now. It won't happen again. I've got to move forward."

With the Monarchs already hampered by the loss of Griffith and DeMya Walker's season-ending knee surgery, Brunson's top goal is to stay healthy while aiming high.

"Pretty much day to day, we've got to make strides," she said. "The West (Conference) is very, very strong, but we've got to believe in ourselves. I've just got to grow as a player and lead the team as best as possible."

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 326-5514.