Rebekkah Brunson

Whether she's enjoying a tub of popcorn at the movie theater or cheering for the Kings at ARCO Arena, Monarchs forward Rebekkah Brunson is enjoying her off-season.

"So far I've just been here in Sacramento rehabbing and doing everything I can to try and get prepared for the upcoming season," Brunson said before boarding an international flight to Italy. "I'm just trying to get back in shape, trying to get my muscles strong around my knee and just getting ready for the next season."

Brunson went under the knife on October 6, 2008, to repair cartilage damage in her right knee. Having undergone knee surgery before, she takes it in stride.

"We're just trying to do everything we can to be on the safe side since we have so much time until the next season," Brunson said. "In the beginning it was a little bit rigorous but right now, it's slow. I get in the weight room a lot."

While patience has been Brunson's mantra, she's confident she'll be ready to play when the Monarchs tip-off the 2009 season in June.

"I'm actually leaving (Sunday) to go and do some rehab and play with my team from last year," Brunson said of rejoining Cras Basket Taranto in Italy. "As far as me getting on the court and getting up and down and trying to run, I think I'll probably start doing some of that stuff in early February. (I'll) get back on the court, see what I can do and see how it feels.

"Definitely by the time our season comes around, I should be on the court," Brunson assured. "I should be ready to go up and down, ready to totally practice with the team."

When she's not rehabbing or daydreaming of her favorite croissant and espresso spot in southern Italy, Brunson has been catching as many of the latest box office hits as possible.

"I think I've probably seen everything out right now, except for maybe one or two movies," Brunson said proudly. "I'm trying to get it all in before I go."

With a passion for movies, Brunson hopes to serve up a new offering to Monarchs fans this upcoming season -- team movie critic.

"I would love to do that," Brunson said less than three hours after seeing the newly-released horror flick, 'My Bloody Valentine 3-D.' "Since I go and see them anyway, I'm going to critique them anyway, and I might as well let you know what I think about them."

Before she can become the next Ann Hornaday, who reviews movies for her hometown Washington Post, Brunson reflected on the historic events taking place down the street from where she grew up, and the occasion that prevented her from flying home to get her visa updated.

"They're closing down bridges," Brunson said in amazement of President Barack Obama's Inauguration on Tuesday. "There's just so much going on. People were renting out their lawn space to people! As much as I would've loved to be there firsthand and be able to see it, I'm glad that I didn't have to deal with that.

"From a cultural perspective, I'm just super excited to see something new going on," Brunson continued. "I'm excited. I really am. I think this is a milestone that is not to be overlooked. I think everybody should be excited to see the progress this country has actually come to and all the things we've overcome and the place that we have arrived. It feels like anything is possible when you see yourself in a situation like this."

Although she still has a few more months of rehab, gaining strength and endurance, enjoying Italian culture and fitting in a few foreign films, Brunson's Washington D.C. roots have her focused on the Monarchs upcoming season.

"This is my thing," Brunson said with a wily grin. "We need to go ahead this year and win the Championship, so we can be the first team to go in there and shake his hand!"

Not only would Brunson enjoy leading the team into the White House to meet President Obama, just as the 2005 WNBA Champion Monarchs did with President George W. Bush, she'd be happy to run the fast break with him too.

"If he wants to lace them up," Brunson cracked. "We're there!"