WUHAN (2015 FIBA Asia Women's Championship) – Coming into the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship as the tallest player ever in Chinese Taipei history, Hsi-Le Bao – better known as Joy Burke – was expected to provide leadership.

According to coach Otis Hughley Jr. the 24-year-old Arizona State Sun Devils alumna has done exactly that.

"She's a tremendous influence on the team," Hughley said after Taipei beat Thailand 113-42 for their second win in as many games.

"He (the coach) hasn't given me much minutes, but I think that's the smart thing to do in games like these," shrugged Burke.

"We got to get our A game together for the next three days. So it's fine by me," she said.

"It's rather exciting," Burke said on taking the leadership mantle.

"We have the kind of team that can do with any help. I'm happy I'm able to do that.

"It also helps that I'm able to act as the bridge between what the coach (who is an American) says and what the girls have to do.

"In most cases, it's the small things. But then these are the things that stand between a good team and a really good team. It's all about getting the right person to do the right kind of thing at the right time," she said.

"On court, my role is very clear. I need to take care of the rebounding and lead the plays on the paint. But I'm relishing my other role of helping my teammates achieve what they are capable of."

Hughley explained further.

"The important thing at this level is we need to do the best thing all the time. But we end up doing what's good for that time. For me, this 'good' thing is the enemy of the 'best' thing.

"I think she (Burke) is helping us bridge that gap."

FIBA