She reportedly impressed WNBA scouts with her skills.
Blanca Quiñonez Commits to UConn
- Thread starter darrell
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Also, her coaches at the NBA Academy spoke in similar terms, that she was clearly destined for the W
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I am guessing the problem has something to do with foreign players not going through the rating system or being regularly seen by the "prospect evaluators" so there isn't the same level of comfort.
Nika Muhl and Kia Nurse were two other players that received a fair share of skepticism by some. Those worked out okay, because it turns out that Geno is an okay talent evaluator.
donalddoowop
Who put the Bop in the Bop Shoo Bop?
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Is her name Bianca or Blanca? We need to spell the name of UConn recruits correctly. Just saying.
Charliebball
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During an interview she said that her goal has always been to play in the WNBA, but I find it hard to believe she is anywhere near WNBA ready at this point....
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I saw this reference in the article written by Gabreilla Lewis in "THE NEXT". It was buried deep in the article and was a comment made by theCoach of Blanca's "RED TEAM". The coach was Betty Lennox who was the 2000? WNBA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR and a many years player in the WNBA. Part of Coach Lennox's statement was ( I believe ): " The overall tournament's standout player is 15 year old Blanca Quinones, 6' 3". etc. etc." You can GOOGLEthe article yourself and read the comments for more clarification: google: "The World's Best Prospects take on the NBA ACADEMY". You may also have to add: "THE NEXT"or Gabreilla Lewis's name to the search.
I think the actual statement, to my memory, was that Ms. Quinonez would succeed in the WNBA, maybe not exactly that she is now "ready" for the WNBA. Note the article was incorrect stating the Ms. Quinonez was 15 years old. She is now 18 years old and was
17 at the time of the 2024 Women's Academy Game(s) in Atlanta Georgia on July 10 - 16 ? , 2024 at HOLY INNOCENT'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL in Atlanta. Also, as previously noted on the BONEYARD, Ms. Quinones is rated by FIBA as 6'0" (2022 data), and by her Magnolia La Molisana WBB team as just over 6 ' 1" (186 cm) (2024 data).
Blanca's Ecuadorian team was in the FIBA SOUTH AMERICAN WOMEN's Championship in August 2022 which was won by Brazil. The Brazilian team included such players as Kamilla Cardoso of the Gamecocks and Stephanie Soares of Iowa State. Blanca did not play in all the tournament games. The league in which Blanca is now playing, has Sara Scalia, formerly of Indiana U, on her team and players like Marina Mabrey and, Rhyne Howard on SCHIO team roster, another team in the league.
The sponsoring company for the Magnolia La Molisana WBB team is a pasta company. The town is about 150 miles southeast of ROME (should you plan a visit ,to see her play!). The company sponsor multiple WBB teams in various league play: Blanca was on their "A1 / youth" team in 2020-2021 and on their A1 Euro cup team in 2021-2022 and on their A1 Italian Cup team during 2022-2023. These teams and tournaments were NOT of the same caliber of the team that she is now on. It would be misleading to say that she has been playing against WNBA and European professionals for the whole 3 + years that she has been affiliated with the Campobasso town WBB squads. Sorry about the long answer. There are many possible areas for potential misinterpretation and misinformation. In brief, IMHO, UCONN is very fortunate to have Blanca Francheska Quinones! GO UCONN!!! WELCOME Blanca!
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The web page for her team in Italy has her roster name as: "Blanca Francheska Quinones" on
the photo of her on one ROSTER page. She is listed as: "Blanca Francheska Quinones, mina"
on another roster listing. I suspect the "mina" means that she is playing as a "minor" ?? or some
reference that she is not playing as a "paid professional" but a member of some sort of
developmental program that is popular for many young international teens. Does anyone one
on the BONEYARD know the exact meaning of " mina"?
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Both.
Plus a light-bulb finally clicked with him that a vast reservoir of international talent is uniquely available to him.
- Geno and players who played for him at UConn are very well respected internationally and by US players that play FIBA basketball on international teams;
- So, if Geno reciprocates interest in a presumably great international recruit — which U.S. recruiting services typically ignore — who want to be trained by the best, Geno has a great shot at getting them;
- Gandy, Blanca, hopefully Lara, hopefully Olivia are arguably recent Geno recruiting predilections;
- we should thank Morgan Valley for the focused recruiting work she has done;
- we should also thank Nika, Lou, Aaliyah and Dorka for the recent deep impressions they left with Geno.
Charliebball
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I believe she moved to Italy to play basketball when she was only 13 years old so I'd like to think she will handle the transition to UConn fairly easily........
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In Ecuador, Blanca with an L is a common name. But it wouldn’t surprise me if Italians read that name as Bianca which is also a common Spanish name. My daughter’s besty in HS was named Bianca Perez
Don’t forget Svet and a few others
MilfordHusky
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Betty Lennox is an icon. I trust her judgment. Just ask Sue Bird.
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Svet might have traumatized Geno.
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Man...this is a bowlful of optimism. Like Maya? Like Tamika? But Geno did go visit her in Italy ( who would turn that down?). We shall see. Looks like an unusual class ..2025. Go huskies.
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If she is 6'0 - and elite going to the basket - how about Nykeesha Sales?
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Just a bowlful? More like the Rose Bowl.
Hey that rhymes -, Tamika, Nykeesha - only she's nothing like Tamika. maybe has a little Nykeesha in her, however.
Yep, that what comes when you are recognized the GOAT coach. Skim the top Geno!
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If I remember correctly I read where Lara Somfai is a "UConn is my dream school" girl!
I'm hoping that Geno paying an IMG visit recently enforces those feelings!
I'm hoping that Geno paying an IMG visit recently enforces those feelings!
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This is the translated version of an article written two years ago. She had just turned 16. The link to the original version follows the article.
Move (Autor: Felipe Núñez , August 07 2022)
Blanca Quiñónez, the basketball player from Milagro who plays in Italy
The young athlete migrated to Europe when she was 13 years old and is the greatest exponent of Ecuadorian women's basketball. Blanca Quiñonez has become the revelation of Ecuadorian basketball. The Guayasense has had a rapid rise in her career and, at just 16 years of age, she is already rubbing shoulders with the best players in her category worldwide.
At her young age, the Milagro-born player already has three years of experience playing abroad, and eight more years excelling in the sport. Basketball has been the life of this young athlete, who has already attracted the attention of the JR NBA and dreams of playing in the big leagues. She is also a proud member of the Ecuadorian national team and has stood out at the continental level representing the country.
A great talent from a very young age
Blanquita was five years old when she started playing basketball. It was in a vacation course of the Milagro league along with her twin and older brother. “During my first games I was always put last, to defend inside the area because I was the tallest, I stood completely still,” she recalls in a chat with PRIMICIAS.
However, as she learned about technique and fundamentals, the young athlete stood out and showed herself to be one of the most skilled in her province. At the age of 11, she competed in the National Under-15 Games and stood out as the best athlete of the tournament, which earned her first call-up to the Ecuadorian national team. In 2018 she competed in the FIBA U15 South American Championship of the category in Chile and led Ecuador to place second, which secured her place in the FIBA U16 Americas Championship. In that tournament, played in 2019, the Tricolor team only reached fifth place, but the Guayasense shone again and attracted the attention of teams abroad.
Finally it was the Italian club La Molisana Magnolia that managed to convince her, and at the age of 13 the Ecuadorian left for the old continent.
A tough start in Italy
Blanquita describes those first days away from her family as “the hardest moment of her career”. It was a very complicated stage emotionally. She confesses that it took her up to two months to get used to her new environment and that she hardly ate during that period. In addition, she did not play for the whole of the first year, as she was in her training stage. The change in level from Ecuador to Italy was also a challenge. “I quickly understood that it was a high-intensity league. They also demanded a lot more of me, because there was a limited quota for foreign players.
And there was one more detail; she immediately had to learn the language because she had to enter school, where she was on scholarship thanks to her team. Despite all these challenges at the age of 13, Blanquita managed to advance and began to play, excelling in numerous commitments. The game she remembers most was on September 25, 2021, in a EuroCup qualifier. The Ecuadorian scored 17 points and four rebounds, and was key to her team's close 65-64 victory over Spain's Durán Maquinaria.
Watched by the JR NBA
Blanquita is a player watched worldwide and has caught the attention of the NBA. The Ecuadorian has already lived two experiences in the Academy Games program, which brings together the best youth basketball players worldwide. The first was in 2020, in Mexico, where she was chosen as the MVP of the edition. “Quiñonez has the quality to score, filter in the area, make baskets, help in defense and get out quickly,” said Jennifer Azzi, her instructor. The Miracle player repeated this experience in July 2022, in Atlanta, United States. “It was very nice and I shared with great people. They taught us new moves and game readings”. Upon her return to Ecuador, Blanquita describes this experience as “unique” and believes that it was the perfect opportunity to learn how to play the game.
In August, the Guayasense represented the country at the South American Championship in San Luis, Argentina, where the national team did not make it past the group stage. After this, Blanca Quiñonez will return to Italy to play her fourth year at Magnolia, the last of her contract. The young basketball player is still uncertain about her future, but she already knows what her long-term goal will be.
“My goal is clear: to play in the big leagues. But I have to take it step by step, I have to concentrate, give my best now that I'm in Italy and improve every day,” says the promising national basketball player.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
www.primicias.ec
Move (Autor: Felipe Núñez , August 07 2022)
Blanca Quiñónez, the basketball player from Milagro who plays in Italy
The young athlete migrated to Europe when she was 13 years old and is the greatest exponent of Ecuadorian women's basketball. Blanca Quiñonez has become the revelation of Ecuadorian basketball. The Guayasense has had a rapid rise in her career and, at just 16 years of age, she is already rubbing shoulders with the best players in her category worldwide.
At her young age, the Milagro-born player already has three years of experience playing abroad, and eight more years excelling in the sport. Basketball has been the life of this young athlete, who has already attracted the attention of the JR NBA and dreams of playing in the big leagues. She is also a proud member of the Ecuadorian national team and has stood out at the continental level representing the country.
A great talent from a very young age
Blanquita was five years old when she started playing basketball. It was in a vacation course of the Milagro league along with her twin and older brother. “During my first games I was always put last, to defend inside the area because I was the tallest, I stood completely still,” she recalls in a chat with PRIMICIAS.
However, as she learned about technique and fundamentals, the young athlete stood out and showed herself to be one of the most skilled in her province. At the age of 11, she competed in the National Under-15 Games and stood out as the best athlete of the tournament, which earned her first call-up to the Ecuadorian national team. In 2018 she competed in the FIBA U15 South American Championship of the category in Chile and led Ecuador to place second, which secured her place in the FIBA U16 Americas Championship. In that tournament, played in 2019, the Tricolor team only reached fifth place, but the Guayasense shone again and attracted the attention of teams abroad.
Finally it was the Italian club La Molisana Magnolia that managed to convince her, and at the age of 13 the Ecuadorian left for the old continent.
A tough start in Italy
Blanquita describes those first days away from her family as “the hardest moment of her career”. It was a very complicated stage emotionally. She confesses that it took her up to two months to get used to her new environment and that she hardly ate during that period. In addition, she did not play for the whole of the first year, as she was in her training stage. The change in level from Ecuador to Italy was also a challenge. “I quickly understood that it was a high-intensity league. They also demanded a lot more of me, because there was a limited quota for foreign players.
And there was one more detail; she immediately had to learn the language because she had to enter school, where she was on scholarship thanks to her team. Despite all these challenges at the age of 13, Blanquita managed to advance and began to play, excelling in numerous commitments. The game she remembers most was on September 25, 2021, in a EuroCup qualifier. The Ecuadorian scored 17 points and four rebounds, and was key to her team's close 65-64 victory over Spain's Durán Maquinaria.
Watched by the JR NBA
Blanquita is a player watched worldwide and has caught the attention of the NBA. The Ecuadorian has already lived two experiences in the Academy Games program, which brings together the best youth basketball players worldwide. The first was in 2020, in Mexico, where she was chosen as the MVP of the edition. “Quiñonez has the quality to score, filter in the area, make baskets, help in defense and get out quickly,” said Jennifer Azzi, her instructor. The Miracle player repeated this experience in July 2022, in Atlanta, United States. “It was very nice and I shared with great people. They taught us new moves and game readings”. Upon her return to Ecuador, Blanquita describes this experience as “unique” and believes that it was the perfect opportunity to learn how to play the game.
In August, the Guayasense represented the country at the South American Championship in San Luis, Argentina, where the national team did not make it past the group stage. After this, Blanca Quiñonez will return to Italy to play her fourth year at Magnolia, the last of her contract. The young basketball player is still uncertain about her future, but she already knows what her long-term goal will be.
“My goal is clear: to play in the big leagues. But I have to take it step by step, I have to concentrate, give my best now that I'm in Italy and improve every day,” says the promising national basketball player.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Blanca Quiñónez, la basquetbolista de Milagro que juega en Italia
La joven deportista migró a Europa cuando tenía 13 años y es la mayor exponente del básquet femenino ecuatoriano. Recientemente participó en un programa de la NBA.
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A VERY NICE SUMMARY, Thank you for posting it and the LINK! ZThis is the translated version of an article written two years ago. She had just turned 16. The link to the original version follows the article.
Move (Autor: Felipe Núñez , August 07 2022)
Blanca Quiñónez, the basketball player from Milagro who plays in Italy
The young athlete migrated to Europe when she was 13 years old and is the greatest exponent of Ecuadorian women's basketball. Blanca Quiñonez has become the revelation of Ecuadorian basketball. The Guayasense has had a rapid rise in her career and, at just 16 years of age, she is already rubbing shoulders with the best players in her category worldwide.
At her young age, the Milagro-born player already has three years of experience playing abroad, and eight more years excelling in the sport. Basketball has been the life of this young athlete, who has already attracted the attention of the JR NBA and dreams of playing in the big leagues. She is also a proud member of the Ecuadorian national team and has stood out at the continental level representing the country.
A great talent from a very young age
Blanquita was five years old when she started playing basketball. It was in a vacation course of the Milagro league along with her twin and older brother. “During my first games I was always put last, to defend inside the area because I was the tallest, I stood completely still,” she recalls in a chat with PRIMICIAS.
However, as she learned about technique and fundamentals, the young athlete stood out and showed herself to be one of the most skilled in her province. At the age of 11, she competed in the National Under-15 Games and stood out as the best athlete of the tournament, which earned her first call-up to the Ecuadorian national team. In 2018 she competed in the FIBA U15 South American Championship of the category in Chile and led Ecuador to place second, which secured her place in the FIBA U16 Americas Championship. In that tournament, played in 2019, the Tricolor team only reached fifth place, but the Guayasense shone again and attracted the attention of teams abroad.
Finally it was the Italian club La Molisana Magnolia that managed to convince her, and at the age of 13 the Ecuadorian left for the old continent.
A tough start in Italy
Blanquita describes those first days away from her family as “the hardest moment of her career”. It was a very complicated stage emotionally. She confesses that it took her up to two months to get used to her new environment and that she hardly ate during that period. In addition, she did not play for the whole of the first year, as she was in her training stage. The change in level from Ecuador to Italy was also a challenge. “I quickly understood that it was a high-intensity league. They also demanded a lot more of me, because there was a limited quota for foreign players.
And there was one more detail; she immediately had to learn the language because she had to enter school, where she was on scholarship thanks to her team. Despite all these challenges at the age of 13, Blanquita managed to advance and began to play, excelling in numerous commitments. The game she remembers most was on September 25, 2021, in a EuroCup qualifier. The Ecuadorian scored 17 points and four rebounds, and was key to her team's close 65-64 victory over Spain's Durán Maquinaria.
Watched by the JR NBA
Blanquita is a player watched worldwide and has caught the attention of the NBA. The Ecuadorian has already lived two experiences in the Academy Games program, which brings together the best youth basketball players worldwide. The first was in 2020, in Mexico, where she was chosen as the MVP of the edition. “Quiñonez has the quality to score, filter in the area, make baskets, help in defense and get out quickly,” said Jennifer Azzi, her instructor. The Miracle player repeated this experience in July 2022, in Atlanta, United States. “It was very nice and I shared with great people. They taught us new moves and game readings”. Upon her return to Ecuador, Blanquita describes this experience as “unique” and believes that it was the perfect opportunity to learn how to play the game.
In August, the Guayasense represented the country at the South American Championship in San Luis, Argentina, where the national team did not make it past the group stage. After this, Blanca Quiñonez will return to Italy to play her fourth year at Magnolia, the last of her contract. The young basketball player is still uncertain about her future, but she already knows what her long-term goal will be.
“My goal is clear: to play in the big leagues. But I have to take it step by step, I have to concentrate, give my best now that I'm in Italy and improve every day,” says the promising national basketball player.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Blanca Quiñónez, la basquetbolista de Milagro que juega en Italia
La joven deportista migró a Europa cuando tenía 13 años y es la mayor exponente del básquet femenino ecuatoriano. Recientemente participó en un programa de la NBA.
HuskyNan
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The article saying Blanca was 15 is from July 2022
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