Former Rainbow Wahine basketball player standout Christen Roper completed her first week of training camp with the Sacramento Monarchs and will make her WNBA debut in a preseason game versus the Seattle Storm on Sunday, May 11 at 6 p.m.

Training camp started last Wednesday with a 19-player roster and since then three players have been released from the team. Two veterans have yet to report to camp and the team will travel to Seattle on Saturday with 14 players, including Roper. The regular-season opener for the Monarchs is May 22 by which time the roster will be pared down to 11 players.

While Roper is still uncertain whether she will make the final roster or not, she is thrilled at the opportunity to play in her first professional game.

"I'm so excited," Roper said. "My parents were planning to come up to Seattle and I was so happy to tell them that I will be up there for sure. Even if I don't play, at least I get to wear a uniform, sit on the bench and warm-up in front of all the fans."

Practices have been grueling in the first week, according to Roper, but the competition has been friendly.

"There is competition for spots, but everyone helps each other out," she said. "Everyone--the coaches, the players, and the staff--have treated me well and have made me feel as part of the team already."

The biggest adjustment for Roper has been her introduction to the forward position. The 6-5 Roper played strictly at the center for the Rainbow Wahine.

"It's kind of scary because I have to handle the ball now," she said. "And they want you to shoot from the perimeter, even the 3-point line and keep up with the guards down the court. But it's a lot of fun."

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