As he sat shoulder-to-shoulder with the 2024 No. 5 pick during an introductory press conference, the Dallas Wings’ president ran off a list of adjectives to describe Jacy Sheldon’s game, requiring only a breath before settling on one phrase: “tenacious defender.” Before her WNBA career was even five minutes old, the accomplished combo guard got to work, proving that assessment true on the professional stage. Deliberate in creeping down to the nail area in preparation of helping defend Chennedy Carter’s fierce rim attack, Sheldon times her swipe expertly, poking the ball away to provide the Wings with much-needed first quarter momentum. The term “quickness” appropriately defined Sheldon’s debut, as Dallas’ new floor general needed just eight minutes to record two points, one rebound, one steal, two rejections, and endless indecision through her hounding, 94-feet defensive approach. The efforts went rewarded as Dallas overwhelmed the Chicago Sky with a late fourth-quarter rally, setting their path for a season-opening home win on May 15, 2024. · May 16, 2024