2025 Recruiting: Blanca Quiñonez to UConn implications for 2025-26 Roster

[Charliebball]

Not sure why no mention of Cheli. While tough to be 100% the first season back from injury but early in the last season she showed great basketball IQ, strong 3 point shot, and surprisedly good rebounding. Doubt Morgan will be a starter but likely to compete with Bianca and others for significant minutes.

I think Cheli will get her minutes but they will likely come off the bench as she is another player who can bring energy at both ends of the court......Shade has proven to be the better shooter at this point, and she also offers a deep two way skill set that will be needed for UConn to repeat as champs next season......if Quinonez is as good as advertised (I've heard Gabby Williams comparisons) she will get the starting nod eventually if not from day one just as Sara did......

 

[Bone Dog]

What UConn needs most in my opinion is a player who (like Paige) gives her teammates total confidence as a go-to scorer, and sets the tone as a big time defender. Sounds like Sarah, doesn't it?

A “bucket-getter,” that’s what you’re talking about. I loved that about Paige more than anything else. She was money in the midrange. The usual stats don’t capture this about her game: when the team is struggling to score, she steps up with a bucket that boosts everyone’s confidence.

This does sound like Sarah. And Azzi. And I think Ash will also be that for Geno if that’s what he tells her to do. She is not as skilled as Paige at getting her shot off — that step back move in the midrange got better every season — but Ash is also pretty much money if she gets it off. Ash will supply whatever the team needs. That’s her mindset. And she is as feisty on defense as anyone.

Can Blanca do all this too? Only time will tell. But if she’s not quite there year in November-December, she’ll be able to watch Ash Sarah and Azzi to figure out how it’s done.

 

[Charliebball]

A “bucket-getter,” that’s what you’re talking about. I loved that about Paige more than anything else. She was money in the midrange. The usual stats don’t capture this about her game: when the team is struggling to score, she steps up with a bucket that boosts everyone’s confidence.

This does sound like Sarah. And Azzi. And I think Ash will also be that for Geno if that’s what he tells her to do. She is not as skilled as Paige at getting her shot off — that step back move in the midrange got better every season — but Ash is also pretty much money if she gets it off. Ash will supply whatever the team needs. That’s her mindset. And she is as feisty on defense as anyone.

Can Blanca do all this too? Only time will tell. But if she’s not quite there year in November-December, she’ll be able to watch Ash Sarah and Azzi to figure out how it’s done.

I'm pretty confident Blanca will get buckets.........she's great in transition, has the requisite skills to get her own shot and is fearless in taking the ball to the basket with superb body control giving her the ability to finish in traffic.......between Blanca, KK and Kelis, UConn has a whole lot of kamikaze drivers to the basket......should be fun to watch......

 

[Zonepress]

lots of interesting comments
what I find curious as many comments, which seem to question ability to transition from European professional basketball to US college
I find this nonsensical as the transition from American high school basketball to college is much greater
the talent is obvious and a player who can leave
central america ,play away from home against professionals learn a new language and thiive
would certainly be well positioned to
make a smooth transition to college bb

 

[MHD789]

lots of interesting comments
what I find curious as many comments, which seem to question ability to transition from European professional basketball to US college
I find this nonsensical as the transition from American high school basketball to college is much greater
the talent is obvious and a player who can leave
central america ,play away from home against professionals learn a new language and thiive
would certainly be well positioned to
make a smooth transition to college bb

I hope she is incredible.

At the risk of sounding like a Blanca basher, I'll just offer a little more context to the discussion so perhaps we all have a better feel for the nature of her professional experience.

• almost half the players on her team are also teenagers
• the Campobasso venue/gym has a capacity of 1,300
• the two American players on her roster never played in the WNBA (i.e., she's not playing older WNBA players every practice/game)
• she plays 25 games per year in this league (no different than HS)

I hope she's incredible on day #1 but I don't see her experience as being radically different than US-based, high-level AAU team competition that our teenagers experience so my expectation a bit more balanced. People like Paige and Sarah are very rare and we are very lucky to have the pleasure to watch them perform from day #1.

 

[MHD789]

I hope she is incredible.

At the risk of sounding like a Blanca basher, I'll just offer a little more context to the discussion so perhaps we all have a better feel for the nature of her professional experience.

• almost half the players on her team are also teenagers
• the Campobasso venue/gym has a capacity of 1,300
• the two American players on her roster never played in the WNBA (i.e., she's not playing older WNBA players every practice/game)
• she plays 25 games per year in this league (no different than HS)

I hope she's incredible on day #1 but I don't see her experience as being radically different than US-based, high-level AAU team competition that our teenagers experience so my expectation a bit more balanced. People like Paige and Sarah are very rare and we are very lucky to have the pleasure to watch them perform from day #1.

And, yes, Dorka plays on the best team in this league. She averages about 10 pts. and 10 rebs. (versus 5 and 4 in WNBA).

 

[Zonepress]

I hope she is incredible.

At the risk of sounding like a Blanca basher, I'll just offer a little more context to the discussion so perhaps we all have a better feel for the nature of her professional experience.

• almost half the players on her team are also teenagers
• the Campobasso venue/gym has a capacity of 1,300
• the two American players on her roster never played in the WNBA (i.e., she's not playing older WNBA players every practice/game)
• she plays 25 games per year in this league (no different than HS)

I hope she's incredible on day #1 but I don't see her experience as being radically different than US-based, high-level AAU team competition that our teenagers experience so my expectation a bit more balanced. People like Paige and Sarah are very rare and we are very lucky to have the pleasure to watch them perform from day #1.

if you think AAU competition is similar to going to a foreign country and playing with a number of players who are WNBA players is comparable then we will have to disagree
nowhere in my post did I indicate that she would somehow be as good as Paige and Sara
What I think I was quite clear and saying is that the adjustment to college should not be difficult

 

[hookshot]

if you think AAU competition is similar to going to a foreign country and playing with a number of players who are WNBA players is comparable then we will have to disagree
nowhere in my post did I indicate that she would somehow be as good as Paige and Sara
What I think I was quite clear and saying is that the adjustment to college should not be difficult

It sure was for Jana, and the cultural transition itself is enough to deal with, without the burden of expectations

 

[Zonepress]

It sure was for Jana, and the cultural transition itself is enough to deal with, without the burden of expectations

you miss the point
she has already moved from her home country
and what indication do you have that Jana
game suffered from “ cultural transition”
From the comments from Ga Jana loved being in the us

man it’s really hard to make comments on here without them being misconstrued
In two replies, it seems that I said they were great expectations for the player, and that she was going to be as good as Sarah and Paige

All I was doing was making the point that I didn’t think the transition to the college game would be significant

 

[hookshot]

you miss the point
she has already moved from her home country
and what indication do you have that Jana
game suffered from “ cultural transition”
From the comments from Ga Jana loved being in the us

man it’s really hard to make comments on here without them being misconstrued
In two replies, it seems that I said they were great expectations for the player, and that she was going to be as good as Sarah and Paige

All I was doing was making the point that I didn’t think the transition to the college game would be significant

All I was doing was was making the point that the transition from somewhat high level international experience to college game proved to be an initial struggle for Jana based only on the evidence of my having attended all the (home) games.

 

[PacoSwede]

this doesn't relate to blanca and her impact, but it fits with where the thread has wandered:

i see a focus on certain players among BYers, an outsized neglect of others. it varies with the poster's perspective, obviously -- we all have 'favorite' players -- but some seem forgotten.

ayanna patterson is the best example. her absence due to injury surely plays a role, like it does for morgan. yet morgan still gets a fair amount of attention (i think she deserves even more). the comparison with caroline is more telling.

caroline is mentioned in many threads, for good reason. we all have compassion for her situation and are thrilled she has been able to fight back and return to the court. ayanna has been in a similar, heartbreaking purgatory for about the same amount of time, yet she is generally absent from BY banter.

meanwhile, some here believe carol could be a major factor in success next season -- even a starter -- and seen as a potential AA. well, that is a desired but extremely rosy scenario. if she can get off the bench some and contribute slightly on court w/o a health setback that would be i my view a major, inspiring accomplishment. it's doubtful she will follow jaime carey's path (fabulous if she can) but i see carol mostly as a big contributor from the bench ... potentially as a leader but certainly as a kind of hero, role model and advisor to for her juniors. her story even affects me, and i don't even know her though i admire her.

ayanna is ignored, in comparison, yet she is far more likely than carol to be a vital husky cog, quelling some BYers' queasiness about what they view as a questionable frontcourt. yanna rarely is even mentioned in the frontcourt discussions. that's ludicrous.

but yanna was the #4 freshman coming out of high school, is a real 'big' and clearly was among the strongest and capable athletes on the team. sounds like 'just what the doctor ordered.' i think she should be considered.

and she barely on the BY's radar.

 

[Bone Dog]

this doesn't relate to blanca and her impact, but it fits with where the thread has wandered:

i see a focus on certain players among BYers, an outsized neglect of others. it varies with the poster's perspective, obviously -- we all have 'favorite' players -- but some seem forgotten.

ayanna patterson is the best example. her absence due to injury surely plays a role, like it does for morgan. yet morgan still gets a fair amount of attention (i think she deserves even more). the comparison with caroline is more telling.

caroline is mentioned in many threads, for good reason. we all have compassion for her situation and are thrilled she has been able to fight back and return to the court. ayanna has been in a similar, heartbreaking purgatory for about the same amount of time, yet she is generally absent from BY banter.

meanwhile, some here believe carol could be a major factor in success next season -- even a starter -- and seen as a potential AA. well, that is a desired but extremely rosy scenario. if she can get off the bench some and contribute slightly on court w/o a health setback that would be i my view a major, inspiring accomplishment. it's doubtful she will follow jaime carey's path (fabulous if she can) but i see carol mostly as a big contributor from the bench ... potentially as a leader but certainly as a kind of hero, role model and advisor to for her juniors. her story even affects me, and i don't even know her though i admire her.

ayanna is ignored, in comparison, yet she is far more likely than carol to be a vital husky cog, quelling some BYers' queasiness about what they view as a questionable frontcourt. yanna rarely is even mentioned in the frontcourt discussions. that's ludicrous.

but yanna was the #4 freshman coming out of high school, is a real 'big' and clearly was among the strongest and capable athletes on team. sounds like 'just what the doctor ordered.' i think she should be considered.

and she barely on the BY's radar.

Hey, Ayanna’s been on my radar all year. Though I must admit that some posters stumble in here, probably do little more than read a simple stat line without ever having watched her, and pronounce an ill-informed verdict on her likely future. It tends to wear me down.

For the record, Ayanna is still in potential-land. So speculation is mainly what we have. But I think the signs of a vital contributor are there to see. I could point to various games where she had good stretches two years ago. And that points to the problem — she’s been out of the lineup for a long time.

For example, in the Iowa game she only played 5 minutes more or less and didn’t put up significant stats. But she held Czinano scoreless and off the boards. That’s quite an achievement — a green freshman vs a seasoned senior at her peak. And she does stuff like that because she has quick feet, is really strong and runs the court really well.

Give us back that Ayanna and I think we’ll have a pretty amazing front court even with no portal additions. Let Geno play small-ball with that Ayanna at the 5 and Sarah at the high post. She doesn’t need to score a ton. Just keep opposing bigs off the boards and get a few putbacks and I’ll be thrilled. Maybe set a few screens the way Ice does and it’s all gravy.

 

[hookshot]

this doesn't relate to blanca and her impact, but it fits with where the thread has wandered:

i see a focus on certain players among BYers, an outsized neglect of others. it varies with the poster's perspective, obviously -- we all have 'favorite' players -- but some seem forgotten.

ayanna patterson is the best example. her absence due to injury surely plays a role, like it does for morgan. yet morgan still gets a fair amount of attention (i think she deserves even more). the comparison with caroline is more telling.

caroline is mentioned in many threads, for good reason. we all have compassion for her situation and are thrilled she has been able to fight back and return to the court. ayanna has been in a similar, heartbreaking purgatory for about the same amount of time, yet she is generally absent from BY banter.

meanwhile, some here believe carol could be a major factor in success next season -- even a starter -- and seen as a potential AA. well, that is a desired but extremely rosy scenario. if she can get off the bench some and contribute slightly on court w/o a health setback that would be i my view a major, inspiring accomplishment. it's doubtful she will follow jaime carey's path (fabulous if she can) but i see carol mostly as a big contributor from the bench ... potentially as a leader but certainly as a kind of hero, role model and advisor to for her juniors. her story even affects me, and i don't even know her though i admire her.

ayanna is ignored, in comparison, yet she is far more likely than carol to be a vital husky cog, quelling some BYers' queasiness about what they view as a questionable frontcourt. yanna rarely is even mentioned in the frontcourt discussions. that's ludicrous.

but yanna was the #4 freshman coming out of high school, is a real 'big' and clearly was among the strongest and capable athletes on the team. sounds like 'just what the doctor ordered.' i think she should be considered.

and she barely on the BY's radar.

I think the common context of several of these threads is that one member of the 60 point per game Trio is walking out the door and taking 20 points with her, so who or whom is going to replace that. We do have an experience base with Ash and KK that provides confidence for another 10 points minimum between themselves, while leading a defense that won't allow the opponent more than 70 points in a game. So all we need is that replacement 20 points and w are home free , and thus we speculate as to where it will come from. We have an experience base that says Jana, Ice, and Ayanna are not particularly offensive minded. We have an experience base hint that Morgan and Ali could be significant scorers sooner than later. And therefore most of our speculation is reserved for the mystery girls, i.e a fully whole Carolyn could give you 15 points herself but no one is counting on that, our speculative portal girl Serah Williams) averaged 19 herself but she does not exist (yet), and our Equadorian wonderkind seems double digit talented but we have not seen her yet. That is why you don't hear too much about Ayana because we only have seen / known her as a big, strong, aggressive, quick to the ball defender / rebounder, but we are only fixated on finding that 20 points that walked out the door and she shows no hint of being offensive minded- its nothing personal,

 

[KCD]

It sure was for Jana, and the cultural transition itself is enough to deal with, without the burden of expectations

I don't think that it is fair to say this about Jana because she was coming back from an injury. So the effect of the injury, one year away from bball, and the effect of transitioning are all mixed up. We have way too many injured players to look at that took several months to really get back to their full recovered selves (from a bball perspective - Paige, Azzi, Ice, Jana, etc.).

 

[donalddoowop]

I don't think that it is fair to say this about Jana because she was coming back from an injury. So the effect of the injury, one year away from bball, and the effect of transitioning are all mixed up. We have way too many injured players to look at that took several months to really get back to their full recovered selves (from a bball perspective - Paige, Azzi, Ice, Jana, etc.).

Also, Jana has the advantage of having her coach father to help her work on her weaknesses during the off season. Further, Blanca has a very good chance of being a positive contributor to UConn in her freshman season.

 

[ju6381]

Her game seems very Precious to me, oozing ability on both sides of the ball.

 

[Alydar]

All you people are conjecturing and you have not seen Blanca play a single NCAA game.

She is raw and I see her as a developmental case as I would Gandy.

Only Kellis Fisher has shown that she has natural talent and might have a greater chance in being successful in the NCAA.

You have a different opinion of Euro pro ball than I have. There are 2 or 3 Euros on the draft board of the W that are 2 years older than Quinonez.
I think she will need to adjust to US officiating and pace of play and that takes time. How much she plays in November isn't important. The goal, like this year, is to peak in March/April.

 

[Alydar]

I think the common context of several of these threads is that one member of the 60 point per game Trio is walking out the door and taking 20 points with her, so who or whom is going to replace that. We do have an experience base with Ash and KK that provides confidence for another 10 points minimum between themselves, while leading a defense that won't allow the opponent more than 70 points in a game. So all we need is that replacement 20 points and w are home free , and thus we speculate as to where it will come from. We have an experience base that says Jana, Ice, and Ayanna are not particularly offensive minded. We have an experience base hint that Morgan and Ali could be significant scorers sooner than later. And therefore most of our speculation is reserved for the mystery girls, i.e a fully whole Carolyn could give you 15 points herself but no one is counting on that, our speculative portal girl Serah Williams) averaged 19 herself but she does not exist (yet), and our Equadorian wonderkind seems double digit talented but we have not seen her yet. That is why you don't hear too much about Ayana because we only have seen / known her as a big, strong, aggressive, quick to the ball defender / rebounder, but we are only fixated on finding that 20 points that walked out the door and she shows no hint of being offensive minded- its nothing personal,

Cheli and Ziebell can give 25/game. Actually they can give more than 25. There are a lot of possibilities, none a lock but with so many eligible players it's not unreasonable to expect a few of them to lift their games.

 

[HuskyNan]

All you people are conjecturing and you have not seen Blanca play a single NCAA game.

She is raw and I see her as a developmental case as I would Gandy.

Only Kellis Fisher has shown that she has natural talent and might have a greater chance in being successful in the NCAA.

When I think of “raw” players, they usually aren’t described as being experienced. Have you seen her play a pro game? Look up Magnolia Campobasso on YouTube

“I think everybody will be excited to see her because she's a young kid who's played a lot of professional basketball with a lot of older players, so she comes with a lot more experience than the average college kid, than the average freshman in college,” Geno Auriemma said Monday following UConn’s Big East Tournament Championship win. “So, I'm excited. I'm excited for her. I think she's fun to watch. She's got a great personality. And I'm looking forward to finding out how their season ends.”

https://www.milfordmirror.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/article/geno-auriemma-blanca-quinonez-freshman-incoming-20214514.php

 

[Skeets]

I think the common context of several of these threads is that one member of the 60 point per game Trio is walking out the door and taking 20 points with her, so who or whom is going to replace that. We do have an experience base with Ash and KK that provides confidence for another 10 points minimum between themselves, while leading a defense that won't allow the opponent more than 70 points in a game. So all we need is that replacement 20 points and w are home free , and thus we speculate as to where it will come from. We have an experience base that says Jana, Ice, and Ayanna are not particularly offensive minded. We have an experience base hint that Morgan and Ali could be significant scorers sooner than later. And therefore most of our speculation is reserved for the mystery girls, i.e a fully whole Carolyn could give you 15 points herself but no one is counting on that, our speculative portal girl Serah Williams) averaged 19 herself but she does not exist (yet), and our Equadorian wonderkind seems double digit talented but we have not seen her yet. That is why you don't hear too much about Ayana because we only have seen / known her as a big, strong, aggressive, quick to the ball defender / rebounder, but we are only fixated on finding that 20 points that walked out the door and she shows no hint of being offensive minded- its nothing personal,

Not a problem. We win most of our games by more than 20 points

 

[Tonyc]

Man oh man. We have a girl coming that is very athletic with great skills and Geno is raving about her. She is playing in an Italian league with many players older and more experienced then her. Shes playing up. Now I think its pretty much assumed she will have to adapt to UConn and WCBB. She did adapt to the Italian league at a young age and has the numbers to prove it. From everything we've heard about her she is a great talent and wants to play for UConn. What more can we ask? We got her commitment and it is my feeling Agot Makeer the number 4 player in Hoopgurlz rankings wouldve come if Blanca didnt. Kinda gives you an idea of what Geno thinks of Blanca. Watch the videos. She has the potential to be a star. She definitely has the skills and playing at UConn, being coached by Geno and his staff and playing along side of our stars I feel she will be very very good. My feeling she will only get better and wants to get better and thats why shes coming to UConn.