Monarchs rookie center has range; Piekarska can shoot 3s

Izabela Piekarska has an added dimension to her game that delights her Monarchs teammates and befuddles the opposition: The 6-foot-5 rookie center can nail three-pointers.

In two exhibition games, the native of Poland is 3 for 5 from behind the arc.

"She's so European," exclaimed Monarchs forward Rebekkah Brunson. "All their post players over there shoot the three. She just steps out and shoots. But she can also bang inside. It's a great combination."

Added Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek: "Not only does she shoot the ball, but she has a shooter's mentality. She's very confident."

Boucek noted long-range ability helped make Seattle's Lauren Jackson a two-time WNBA MVP. Connecting on 35.4 percent of her three-point attempts, the 6-5 Australian center-forward has made 285 three-pointers in seven WNBA seasons.

Boucek, who was an assistant with the Storm, says she knows the value of a post player who can score far away from the basket.

"It really stretches the other team's defense as well as helps our offense," Boucek said.

Piekarska, who played at UTEP as well as for the Polish national team, says she feels comfortable as a long-range threat.

"I'm a different kind of post player," Piekarska said. "In Europe, everyone shoots."

Piekarska also likes the fan reaction. "They see a 6-5 girl can shoot threes – that's cool," she said. "We bring joy to the fans. We play for them. If I can do something that makes them come out every night and cheer, that's good."

Learning experience – Piekarska and her fellow rookies got plenty of court time Monday night in Tampa, Fla., during the Monarchs' 90-82 overtime loss to the Washington Mystics. Sacramento took only nine players – including five rookies – to Tampa to face a full-strength veteran team with 15 players.

"It was a great opportunity for us," said Piekarska, who contributed 11 points, five rebounds and a block. "We hung in there until the end. But the good thing: We had so much fun."

Boucek was pleased by the effort. "We had a great experience," she said. "We beat them most of the game. We really played well. It was a great learning experience for us. Our rookies got a lot of confidence, too. It was very helpful in the teaching process, and that's what these games are all about."

Birthday girl – Forward Kim Smith got a surprise after Wednesday's practice. Her teammates broke out into a chorus of "Happy Birthday" in honor of her 24th birthday. Smith had been serenaded before on birthdays, she said, "but not as good as that one."

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