With the 43rd pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, the Monarchs selected guard Charel Allen. Get the rookie's scoop on the first week of training camp now!

What have the first couple of days been like for you?
"It’s been a little different. They really focus on their defense and I am working on it, because in college we played a lot of zone and they play a lot of man here."

What was it like to play college basketball at Notre Dame?
"I went to a small single 'A' high school. Our graduating class was 64. So it was a really small public school. But the adjustment to Notre Dame, my teammates made it so simple for me because they were always there. It was just like a family away from home and I loved my experience there."

What was it like to score 35 points in the second round of the NCAA Tournament?
"It felt like offensively nothing could go wrong. And on the other end, you are motivated to stop your defender or match up in the zone since we played a lot of zone that game. It felt great to always want the ball in my hands and I was just ready."

Where are you from?
"I'm from Monessen, Pennsylvania, which is south of Pittsburgh. It's a small town where everyone knows everyone. You can go to the store and everyone would be like 'Hey Charel.' You feel welcomed there. I felt the same in Notre Dame and I feel the same here."

Are you a Pittsburgh Steelers fan?
"Yes, huge fan."

Who helped you develop your basketball skill growing up?
"My step-father, he was always there from day one. I consider him my father. He has always been there and he taught me everything I know."

Who did you admire growing up as a basketball player?
"It’s tough because, like I said, I am very home bound, so there was a local girl named Jen who is [an] assistant coach now. But I also look up to Swin Cash, because she is from the Pittsburgh area."

Did you know anybody on the Monarchs before joining the team this week?
"I knew of Kara Lawson because she commentates. And Ticha, you have to know her. She is a legend in the WNBA. And Chelsea Newton, I played against her for a year when she was at Rutgers."

How intimidating is it coming to camp knowing that you aren't assured of a spot on the team?
"You have to bring your A-game every day to practice. You have to pick up on the concepts really quickly because this season is so short, it is right around the corner. You just have to grasp everything and take it all in and put it out there on the floor."

Is the pressure overwhelming?
"It is in a way, but it’s not bad because you can’t worry about that. You have to go out there and play your game and do what the coach tells you. If you worry about that you will stress out and the season is too long, from what I hear, to worry about that."

Give us a scouting report on your game?
"I am long and athletic. I have a quick first step and I can shoot the ball."

What’s your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
"Relax, listen to music and talk on the phone. I like to talk to my mom a lot and my family."

Have there been any entertaining moments during training camp, or have the veterans made rookies do anything funny?
"We haven’t had that moment yet. They haven’t made us do anything crazy yet. I know it’s coming, so I’m ready for it."