The Rookie’s Break: How a Forgotten 17th Pick Just Got the Golden Ticket in Dallas

The Frontcourt Void

Let’s cut through the noise: Dallas Wings’ interior defense isn’t just weak—it’s nonexistent. Last season’s veteran pivot, Tiera McCowan (201cm), is now overseas with Team USA—her stats (5.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG) already whispering ‘fade.’ Enter new German import Luisa Geißler-Schwarz (193cm), who’s still adjusting. She’s played better lately but will soon follow McCowan into international duty.

That leaves a gaping hole.

A Rotation Built on Chaos

Current starting lineups? Three guards and two forwards. At times, it’s five wings—no true center in sight. This isn’t strategy; it’s survival mode after 1–11 record. And that means one thing: opportunity.

Enter Xiao Bao—the overlooked 17th pick no one remembers.

Why Now?

She doesn’t need luck. She needs space. And Dallas is handing her exactly that.

With no established starter at center, she can log minutes without fear of benching or rotation politics. No pressure from veteran egos—just raw minutes to grow.

That’s not just an opening—it’s a reset button for her career trajectory.

Media Light = Visibility Goldmine

Paige is everywhere—on every highlight reel, every post-game interview, every camera angle you can imagine.

That’s not bad news for Xiao Bao. It’s perfect news.

When Paigey gets all the glory shots, there are more angles left for others—and more room to be seen when she makes a play.* A block here? A steal there? Suddenly she’s not ‘the backup,’ she’s ‘the spark.’ Even better: Xiao Bao is genuinely likable—smart, poised, and unbothered by spotlight hunger—a perfect fit for brand-building in today’s WNBA era.

The Data Doesn’t Lie:

The Wing’s defensive rating sits near league worst (125+). Offensive efficiency? Below .900 per possession. They’re not winning games—but they’re creating chances for young talent to build value fast. In stats terms: high variance + low expectations = ideal environment for breakout players like Xiao Bao. And let me be clear—this isn’t about wishful thinking; it’s about data-driven inevitability. When systems fail under pressure… talent rises through chaos.