Blanca Quiñonez

[Kat]

Today’s NYT ran an article by Chantel Jennings, highlighting who she believed were the top freshmen to watch this year. In it she featured Blanca Quiñonez.

“Don’t expect Quiñonez to play like a freshman, considering the 6-foot-2 Ecuadorian forward has been playing professionally in Italy’s top league since 2020. Think of her as Sarah Strong 2.0 (with more experience entering the freshman ranks) — a player who can finish inside and score from all three levels, distribute the ball well and possesses handles like a guard. Like Strong, Quiñonez has the benefit of coming in without needing to be everything for UConn, given the talent around her, so she’ll be able to pick her moments and develop through the season. That doesn’t mean she’ll be a shrinking violet on the court. Could we see another UConn unicorn picking up Freshman of the Year honors at the end of the season?”

 

[Blond D.]

I'll believe it when I see it. I pray she's as good as some people say but the pro teams in Italy can't even compare to our top college teams.
I'm gonna keep an open mind and hope she preforms as advertised.

 

[HuskyNan]

I'll believe it when I see it. I pray she's as good as some people say but the pro teams in Italy can't even compare to our top college teams.
I'm gonna keep an open mind and hope she preforms as advertised.

Do you think the pro team is as good as a high school team? Because most freshmen come to college out of high school

 

[Bone Dog]

I was watching another practice video this morning, this one featuring KK's sparkling personality, and there were a couple of interactions with Allie that made me think.

Most of the kids on the roster -- maybe all of them -- were the go-to player on their high school teams. This may not be quite as true of Kayleigh, Kelis or Gandy, for different reasons. But KK and Ash, Azzi and Sarah, Morgan and Allie, Caroline and Ayanna -- they all carried their teams wherever they were going to go.

I suspect it takes a significant shift of mindset for these kids go from carrying the team to being led by someone else in college. Allie in particular may be experiencing exactly this. In high school, she always knew what to do, what her teammates needed, and if they needed someone to guide them or someone to take the clutch shot, or merely someone to look up to, she knew what to do. Last year, she probably felt at a loss for what to do and where she fit in. KK is on the case, offering encouragement at every turn.

That's a long preamble to get to Blanca -- sorry about that. In high school, Blanca didn't exactly have that experience, though her skills and confidence would have suited such a role. And in various 'all-star' games that were limited to high school kids in Italy and the US it was easy to see that her confidence and maturity really stood out from the crowd. In one sense, this is an advantage for her. She knows how to follow where more mature kids lead -- the pros she's been playing with over the last few years. And in her freshman year this may be just right. The only question in my mind is how long it will take her to understand exactly where her maturity level will place her in the team dynamic. She belongs very near the top, in my opinion. After Azzi, Serah and Caroline depart, she will have to be Sarah's primary partner, the pair who lead and carry the team. The language barrier will be an obstacle, at least initially. But she has already experienced playing various roles for several years. She will figure this out, perhaps sooner than I expect.

And don't worry, I'm not forgetting about KK and Ash, or Ice and Jana. They will also be integral parts of the next one or two runs to the NC. But I just have a feeling Blanca and Sarah will be front and center, carrying an extra heavy load.

 

[Blond D.]

Do you think the pro team is as good as a high school team? Because most freshmen come to college out of high school

Yeah, I would think Italy's pro team is better than high school teams but high school isnt college and most of the best high school players arent good enough to play for for a top college team.
I'm not saying that Blanca won't be good.
She might even BE the next Sarah or even Paige. I sure hope so but she still has to prove it.

 

[uconnfan68]

I was watching another practice video this morning, this one featuring KK's sparkling personality, and there were a couple of interactions with Allie that made me think.

Most of the kids on the roster -- maybe all of them -- were the go-to player on their high school teams. This may not be quite as true of Kayleigh, Kelis or Gandy, for different reasons. But KK and Ash, Azzi and Sarah, Morgan and Allie, Caroline and Ayanna -- they all carried their teams wherever they were going to go.

I suspect it takes a significant shift of mindset for these kids go from carrying the team to being led by someone else in college. Allie in particular may be experiencing exactly this. In high school, she always knew what to do, what her teammates needed, and if they needed someone to guide them or someone to take the clutch shot, or merely someone to look up to, she knew what to do. Last year, she probably felt at a loss for what to do and where she fit in. KK is on the case, offering encouragement at every turn.

That's a long preamble to get to Blanca -- sorry about that. In high school, Blanca didn't exactly have that experience, though her skills and confidence would have suited such a role. And in various 'all-star' games that were limited to high school kids in Italy and the US it was easy to see that her confidence and maturity really stood out from the crowd. In one sense, this is an advantage for her. She knows how to follow where more mature kids lead -- the pros she's been playing with over the last few years. And in her freshman year this may be just right. The only question in my mind is how long it will take her to understand exactly where her maturity level will place her in the team dynamic. She belongs very near the top, in my opinion. After Azzi, Serah and Caroline depart, she will have to be Sarah's primary partner, the pair who lead and carry the team. The language barrier will be an obstacle, at least initially. But she has already experienced playing various roles for several years. She will figure this out, perhaps sooner than I expect.

And don't worry, I'm not forgetting about KK and Ash, or Ice and Jana. They will also be integral parts of the next one or two runs to the NC. But I just have a feeling Blanca and Sarah will be front and center, carrying an extra heavy load.

She speaks Spanish, Italian, and English. Sarah Strong's first language was Spanish. At least the 2 of them are ok.

 

[uconnfan68]

Yeah, I would think Italy's pro team is better than high school teams but high school isnt college and most of the best high school players arent good enough to play for for a top college team.
I'm not saying that Blanca won't be good.
She might even BE the next Sarah or even Paige. I sure hope so but she still has to prove it.

Dorka played against Blanca in a league game. I don't think any high-schooler was that good.

 

[HuskyNan]

Most of the kids on the roster -- maybe all of them -- were the go-to player on their high school teams. This may not be quite as true of Kayleigh, Kelis or Gandy, for different reasons. But KK and Ash, Azzi and Sarah, Morgan and Allie, Caroline and Ayanna -- they all carried their teams wherever they were going to go

Gandy was absolutely the go-to player on her team

 

[Charliebball]

I'll believe it when I see it. I pray she's as good as some people say but the pro teams in Italy can't even compare to our top college teams.
I'm gonna keep an open mind and hope she preforms as advertised.

Once she gets used to the style/speed of the college game, I think you'll see just how good Blanca is.......she's already shown how disruptive she can be defensively in the two preseason games and I expect that to be a constant this season......my only question is how long it will take to improve her three point shooting which appears to be her only weakness offensively....

 

[DavidinNaples]

Blanca played the 3rd most minutes (40) behind only Azzi (47) and Sarah (42) in the 2 exhibition games. I’m guessing Geno did that on purpose. Perhaps he knows she is uber athletic and needs playing time to blend her skills within the team framework. Maybe it was a one-off and she will play mostly mop up minutes. I suspect he has a plan and knows exactly what she can do, right out of the gate…. Time will tell.

 

[Jaydumo20]

Gandy was absolutely the go-to player on her team

View attachment 112893

The bball stats version of a young Andy Ried at the punt, pass and kick competition.

 

[BobbyJ]

I was watching another practice video this morning, this one featuring KK's sparkling personality, and there were a couple of interactions with Allie that made me think.

Most of the kids on the roster -- maybe all of them -- were the go-to player on their high school teams. This may not be quite as true of Kayleigh, Kelis or Gandy, for different reasons. But KK and Ash, Azzi and Sarah, Morgan and Allie, Caroline and Ayanna -- they all carried their teams wherever they were going to go.

I suspect it takes a significant shift of mindset for these kids go from carrying the team to being led by someone else in college. Allie in particular may be experiencing exactly this. In high school, she always knew what to do, what her teammates needed, and if they needed someone to guide them or someone to take the clutch shot, or merely someone to look up to, she knew what to do. Last year, she probably felt at a loss for what to do and where she fit in. KK is on the case, offering encouragement at every turn.

That's a long preamble to get to Blanca -- sorry about that. In high school, Blanca didn't exactly have that experience, though her skills and confidence would have suited such a role. And in various 'all-star' games that were limited to high school kids in Italy and the US it was easy to see that her confidence and maturity really stood out from the crowd. In one sense, this is an advantage for her. She knows how to follow where more mature kids lead -- the pros she's been playing with over the last few years. And in her freshman year this may be just right. The only question in my mind is how long it will take her to understand exactly where her maturity level will place her in the team dynamic. She belongs very near the top, in my opinion. After Azzi, Serah and Caroline depart, she will have to be Sarah's primary partner, the pair who lead and carry the team. The language barrier will be an obstacle, at least initially. But she has already experienced playing various roles for several years. She will figure this out, perhaps sooner than I expect.

And don't worry, I'm not forgetting about KK and Ash, or Ice and Jana. They will also be integral parts of the next one or two runs to the NC. But I just have a feeling Blanca and Sarah will be front and center, carrying an extra heavy load.

How many of Quinonez’ all star games did you actually see? Do you have a link for those?

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Perhaps shoot more closer to the basket to start and then work her way outside more and more. She has skills.

 

[Bone Dog]

How many of Quinonez’ all star games did you actually see? Do you have a link for those?

I saw two in Italy and one in the U.S. I don’t have links anymore. But google can probably find them. The Italian games were part of a tourney for the high school kids who had played on one of the pro teams. It was their moment to shine.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

I was watching another practice video this morning, this one featuring KK's sparkling personality, and there were a couple of interactions with Allie that made me think.

Most of the kids on the roster -- maybe all of them -- were the go-to player on their high school teams. This may not be quite as true of Kayleigh, Kelis or Gandy, for different reasons. But KK and Ash, Azzi and Sarah, Morgan and Allie, Caroline and Ayanna -- they all carried their teams wherever they were going to go.

I suspect it takes a significant shift of mindset for these kids go from carrying the team to being led by someone else in college. Allie in particular may be experiencing exactly this. In high school, she always knew what to do, what her teammates needed, and if they needed someone to guide them or someone to take the clutch shot, or merely someone to look up to, she knew what to do. Last year, she probably felt at a loss for what to do and where she fit in. KK is on the case, offering encouragement at every turn.

That's a long preamble to get to Blanca -- sorry about that. In high school, Blanca didn't exactly have that experience, though her skills and confidence would have suited such a role. And in various 'all-star' games that were limited to high school kids in Italy and the US it was easy to see that her confidence and maturity really stood out from the crowd. In one sense, this is an advantage for her. She knows how to follow where more mature kids lead -- the pros she's been playing with over the last few years. And in her freshman year this may be just right. The only question in my mind is how long it will take her to understand exactly where her maturity level will place her in the team dynamic. She belongs very near the top, in my opinion. After Azzi, Serah and Caroline depart, she will have to be Sarah's primary partner, the pair who lead and carry the team. The language barrier will be an obstacle, at least initially. But she has already experienced playing various roles for several years. She will figure this out, perhaps sooner than I expect.

And don't worry, I'm not forgetting about KK and Ash, or Ice and Jana. They will also be integral parts of the next one or two runs to the NC. But I just have a feeling Blanca and Sarah will be front and center, carrying an extra heavy load.

Bone Dog- - -I think after Azzi, Serah, and Caroline leave Blanca and Sarah won't have ant problems communicating as Blanca is from a Spanish speaking country and Sarah lived in Spain when her parents were playing there so she most likely speaks Spanish also!
That'll be fun if they communicate during a game in Spanish!

uconnfan28- - - I'm sorry for jumping on your post as I've said many times, "I'm 78 and my mind is floating away!"

 

[bschwartz]

I'll believe it when I see it. I pray she's as good as some people say but the pro teams in Italy can't even compare to our top college teams.
I'm gonna keep an open mind and hope she preforms as advertised.

Say what you want about the Italian league, but she was going up against WNBA players nearly every game. She had one came where she outplayed Dorka. Blocked her shots and drove past her on offense. Blanca does need time to adapt and adjust to the American game. She'll get there.

 

[Cuango]

Today’s NYT ran an article by Chantel Jennings, highlighting who she believed were the top freshmen to watch this year. In it she featured Blanca Quiñonez.

“Don’t expect Quiñonez to play like a freshman, considering the 6-foot-2 Ecuadorian forward has been playing professionally in Italy’s top league since 2020. Think of her as Sarah Strong 2.0 (with more experience entering the freshman ranks) — a player who can finish inside and score from all three levels, distribute the ball well and possesses handles like a guard. Like Strong, Quiñonez has the benefit of coming in without needing to be everything for UConn, given the talent around her, so she’ll be able to pick her moments and develop through the season. That doesn’t mean she’ll be a shrinking violet on the court. Could we see another UConn unicorn picking up Freshman of the Year honors at the end of the season?”

I like Blanca, I think she’s going to be a good-outstanding player for us, but comparing her to Sarah at this point is just silly. Yes, she looks to have great potential, she has outstanding physical tools, but those tools are going to take some time before they are all functioning together at a very high level. I hope and pray she can put it all together and play at something close to the generational & transformative level of Sarah Strong but that, (if it’s even possible), is going to take some time. I obviously hope it happens but I will be shocked if she wins National Freshman of the Year. I will happily eat my words if it happens though!

 

[Gael]

Today’s NYT ran an article by Chantel Jennings, highlighting who she believed were the top freshmen to watch this year. In it she featured Blanca Quiñonez.

It's interesting and revealing that Chantel Jennings features unranked foreigner Quinonez among her top six freshman, along with ESPN ranked Davidson (#1), Betts (#2), Chavez (#3), Crump (#5), and Deal (#23). And then ends her analysis of Blanca with: "Could we see another UConn unicorn picking up Freshman of the Year honors at the end of the season?"

This surely signifies that recognition of Blanca's basketball experience, skills and impact potential has seeped beyond the borders of Storrs and the Boneyard. That's heartening.

However, the broad claim that Blanca is "a player who can finish inside and score from all three levels, distribute the ball well and possesses handles like a guard" seems premature in part. At this inchoate stage of her college career, there is insufficient evidence regarding Blanca's three-point shot to make claims about it, one way or the other.

As to whether Blanca can be FOY, it's certainly possible, but national FOY awards usually go to freshman starters who are among the top scorers on top teams. The last six USBWA FOYs have been Blakes, Watkins, Latson, Morrow, Bueckers/Clark (tie), and Boston. The last six WBCA FOYs have been Strong, Watkins, Latson, Morrow, Bueckers/Clark (tie), and Boston. If Blanca is not a starter, that will likely hurt her FOY chances.

That all cautioned, I'm personally very high on Blanca's omnicompetent potential.

 

[HopJim]

Yeah, I would think Italy's pro team is better than high school teams but high school isnt college and most of the best high school players arent good enough to play for for a top college team.
I'm not saying that Blanca won't be good.
She might even BE the next Sarah or even Paige. I sure hope so but she still has to prove it.

The question may be related to AAU teams, not high school.

 

[JellyBean]

I'll believe it when I see it. I pray she's as good as some people say but the pro teams in Italy can't even compare to our top college teams.
I'm gonna keep an open mind and hope she preforms as advertised.

Appreciate you keeping an open mind. Blanca will be okay. A lot just depends on her practice habits, skill development, and her ability to give herself some grace on adjusting and learning.

 

[PvP]

Do you think the pro team is as good as a high school team? Because most freshmen come to college out of high school

And how many high school seniors have been competing with WNBA players???

 

[Alydar]

I'll believe it when I see it. I pray she's as good as some people say but the pro teams in Italy can't even compare to our top college teams.
I'm gonna keep an open mind and hope she preforms as advertised.

I think Quinonez played against Juhasz in Italy. I don't think any incoming US freshman had competition anywhere close to that. Her adjustments will be to the pace of play at UConn and the US rules.

 

[YKCornelius]

I'll believe it when I see it. I pray she's as good as some people say but the pro teams in Italy can't even compare to our top college teams.
I'm gonna keep an open mind and hope she preforms as advertised.

Nah.

Blond D, you are certainly entitled to your own opinion, but having lived in Italy for three years and seeing first-hand Italian pro teams, as well as watching/following US WCBB since Immaculata days, I would vouch that the top Serie A teams would beat the top US college teams if playing under FIBA rules.

Not the case for lower level Italian pro teams, but certainly the case for the best teams in Serie A.

Blanca is going to be just fine. She's not playing to be FOY, or an AA, or to get on the wall. She's playing to be a valued teammate and contributor to her new family's quest for a 13th NC. She acknowledges having a lot of room to grow, so I recommend sitting back and watching the development unfold before our eyes.

 

[Zarathustra]

Gandy was absolutely the go-to player on her team

View attachment 112893

I know everyone on the Gill St. Bernard's team "looked up to" Gandy!

 

[oldhusky]

I agree with those who believe Blanca's foreign experience gives her a step up compared to most freshmen. At the same time it seems she is going thru significant growing pains while trying to fit into the Uconn system. From the limited Geno comments about her I think Geno sees the skills and potential, and is excited about that, but the turnovers and mistakes at this point are holding her back.

He knows she can defend at a high level and run the floor like a deer, on the receiving end, and pushing it up the floor herself. She looks to be a pretty good and willing passer, but at least so far has made too many risky or careless passes. As for her own offense in the half court she may be overthinking it.

The standard for shooting efficiency here is very high. There are many shooters and scorers here, and Blanca has the ability to drive and finish, or pull up or fade back in the midrange almost on demand. Deciding when to go on her own vs. fitting into a ball movement system might be her biggest adjustment.

She can be a good player contributing in multiple ways, but the potential greatness IMO depends on refining and defining her role in the half court offense. If her one on one forays are not efficient enough, or include too many turnovers, she might be reduced to an open three point shooter and maybe not a particularly good one at that.

She has been in Europe a very efficient two point shooter who also draws a lot of fouls. I think that will happen here too in time, but I'm not as confident about her from the three point line, hopefully she can at least be adequate there. My main point is she is finding her way in this efficient half court offense.

I hope her offense is not reduced to running the floor and shooting open 3's, but creating on her own is where she could be truly special, but it has to be efficient and with not too many turnovers. The potential is clearly there, but how that part of her game develops might be the difference between a good player and a great one IMO.

 

[Skeets]

This has little to do with Blanca who I hope turns out to be great and meets expectations. But here's an open question: what is a more valuable basketball experience? Playing maybe 10 minutes per game for a less than spectacular Italian pro league or playing almost the whole game, being the go-to players for a very good high school team perhaps contending for a state title for a couple of years?

My opinion is you get what you put in and having good developmental coaching is important too.

 

[HuskyNan]

Every foreign player that has come to UConn as a freshman has been what appears to be overly aggressive and borderline out of control. Think Svet, Aaliyah, and Nika. Geno got them all to harness that aggressiveness and become outstanding players. It’s easier to dial it back than to fire it up, e.g. Amari

 

[oldude]

This has little to do with Blanca who I hope turns out to be great and meets expectations. But here's an open question: what is a more valuable basketball experience? Playing maybe 10 minutes per game for a less than spectacular Italian pro league or playing almost the whole game, being the go-to players for a very good high school team perhaps contending for a state title for a couple of years?

My opinion is you get what you put in and having good developmental coaching is important too.

There is a fundamental difference between HS basketball in the US, and European pro leagues. In HS you play 4 years of basketball and if you’re good enough, you go on to the next level. Some HS programs do a very good job developing players for the next level. Others, not so much.

For young players like Blanca, playing overseas is all about development. They are brought in at a young age, to work with the team and coaches, while going to school. They are compensated for room and board only, which is why they are allowed to play at US colleges if they choose. If you look at European teams full rosters, there can be up to 20 players, many of whom are young “developmental” players.

Blanca is still learning UConn’s system, which takes time for anyone. But I have already noticed in her game that she is more developed physically than most college freshmen. She has excellent passing instincts, the ability to attack the basket and superior defensive skills.

I don’t think it will take Blanca very long to master UConn’s system. While she is unlikely to start this year, Blanca should be a key reserve for the Huskies, and undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the pursuit of championship #13.

 

[HuskyNan]

This has little to do with Blanca who I hope turns out to be great and meets expectations. But here's an open question: what is a more valuable basketball experience? Playing maybe 10 minutes per game for a less than spectacular Italian pro league or playing almost the whole game, being the go-to players for a very good high school team perhaps contending for a state title for a couple of years?

My opinion is you get what you put in and having good developmental coaching is important too.

Even little used players have the same practices and receive the same coaching.

 

[YKCornelius]

This has little to do with Blanca who I hope turns out to be great and meets expectations. But here's an open question: what is a more valuable basketball experience? Playing maybe 10 minutes per game for a less than spectacular Italian pro league or playing almost the whole game, being the go-to players for a very good high school team perhaps contending for a state title for a couple of years?

My opinion is you get what you put in and having good developmental coaching is important too.

Great question, Skeets. In my opinion, it depends on the player and it depends on the team - on both sides of the question.

Looking just at the Italian pro structure, there is a big difference between the top clubs and the lower tier clubs. The top clubs have better resources and invest in player development and team cohesion for the long haul.

Top Serie A clubs are not quite at the level of the best Euroleague clubs in Turkey, Spain, France, etc., who are able to buy talent from other national clubs and purchase annual contracts of international players, but give it a few years and I think they will be.

The other side of the coin is the American high school set-up, where there certainly is a wide variety of factors from state to state shaping the long-term sustainability of high school teams, let alone players. The surge of the athletic factories - er, I mean academies - in the past half-dozen years (IMG, Monteverde, Legion Prep, DME, etc) continues to reshape the landscape and add fuel to the fiery discussions of best high school teams. Are they as good as the tried-and-true BB programs of the past twenty years (for example, the WCAC schools in the DMV area, or the private/parochial schools in the NJ/NY area, to name but a few)? Although that is probably a debate for a separate thread on the General Board, I use these schools as examples of the disparity in structure and competition.

To broaden your question to embrace these programs: are the players in those basketball powerhouses in a better spot than high school-age players in European clubs? Again, I would say it depends on the player and the team. My opinion.