2025 Recruiting: Blanca Quinonez

[Bone Dog]

On another podcast they said that her first name isn't Blanca as it's used in Italian..........it's actually Blanquita.......we'll all have to find out her preference.....

I think Blanquita is merely an affectionate diminutive of Blanca. It's not a different name. Lots of languages do this. In English, Elizabeth becomes Lizzie, Victoria becomes Vicky. In Korean, Jiwon becomes Jiwona, Ahin becomes Ahina. In Chinese, Yifei becomes Feifei, Buqing might become Qingqing.

 

[Charliebball]

I think Blanquita is merely an affectionate diminutive of Blanca. It's not a different name. Lots of languages do this. In English, Elizabeth becomes Lizzie, Victoria becomes Vicky. In Korean, Jiwon becomes Jiwona, Ahin becomes Ahina. In Chinese, Yifei becomes Feifei, Buqing might become Qingqing.

They said when watching her interviews from Ecuador that's how she was referred to so I guess we should assume that's simply a local term of endearment and Blanca is what she prefers?

 

[Charliebball]

I vote for Blanquita. But whatever she prefers ( as long as it’s not carol).

or Blanket........

 

[Zarathustra]

I vote for Blanquita. But whatever she prefers ( as long as it’s not carol).

Then, again, some might say: " As long as it's not Caroline"!

 

[From Canada]

Highlights first game of Campobasso semi-final playoffs


Campobasso loses the first game of the semi-final playoffs. The game was tied 64-64 with 4 minutes to go by a score of 75-66. Blanca was her coach's most-used player with 30:37 of playing time. She scored, 15 pts (6/14) - 2 ast - 3 stl. Below is part of an article translated from Italian to English from the Umana Reyer Venezia website of April 15. It gave an overview of the first meeting. I really enjoyed it, and I think you will too.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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The best-of-five series will require a lot of physical effort. We will have to be good at managing fatigue and rotations. All the girls will have to bring something extra: the level of concentration in every detail is what makes the difference.

We are not used to playing such close matches; we only did it last year in the championship final against Schio. It is a new situation in which we will test ourselves. It is clear that one match does not determine a series: we must have the mental strength to think one game at a time and reset immediately.

We will need a big push from the fans; the passage of the round will also depend on this.
The energy that the fans can give to the team is something that can always be seen, as happened in the last match of the men's team against Trieste. It is something difficult to find in other fields and in all the important matches we felt this support.

Campobasso is a team that defends well, with a well-defined playing identity. They have, in the role of 3, a talented player like Quinonez, who next year will play at UConn, the best college in the world. Around her there are quality players like Pallas, the fourth best rebounder in the league (10.05 rebounds on average), and players that we know very well and who grew up here: Sara Madera is the 4 of the National team so I don't think there is anything to add and Laura Meldere, who is having a great championship. They are a complete team.

 

[ec33]

or Blanket........

If she can defend like Aubrey.

 

[ec33]

A highlight from the aforementioned playoff game:

 

[Charliebball]

A highlight from the aforementioned playoff game:

To those who say she's not going to be a difference-maker at UConn next season, I say......really?

 

[DEFCONN1]

When does she get here !

 

[Bone Dog]

She’s obviously a ballerina in transition. But I’m actually surprised she didn’t simply go directly to the rim through contact.

 

[Charliebball]

She’s obviously a ballerina in transition. But I’m actually surprised she didn’t simply go directly to the rim through contact.

that's too damn easy.......

 

[From Canada]

Box Score of game #2

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The best-of-5 semi-final series is now tied 1-1. Campobasso won the second game 61-59. For Blanca: 11 pts (5/10) - 5 reb. - 2 ast. The next two games will take place at Campobasso, on April 23 and 25. No highlights for the moment, but stay tuned...

 

[MHD789]

To those who say she's not going to be a difference-maker at UConn next season, I say......really?

I very nice spin move in the video. Looking through play-by-play write-up it seems that the majority of her shots/baskets are lay-ups. Any concerns that she won't be able to immediately replicate as a freshman with smaller, more packed (with defenders) paint area in US?

I'm not "bashing" --- I think it's a legitimate question/challenge for her.

 

[Charliebball]

I very nice spin move in the video. Looking through play-by-play write-up it seems that the majority of her shots/baskets are lay-ups. Any concerns that she won't be able to immediately replicate as a freshman with smaller, more packed (with defenders) paint area in US?

I'm not "bashing" --- I think it's a legitimate question/challenge for her.

A fair question.......time will tell but as you know UConn's transition game is a major component of their offense and Blanca appears to have the ideal skill set to thrive there........I haven't seen enough of her midrange and three point shooting to know what her full capabilities are but the ball-handling skills, the fearless dribble-drive mentality and her defensive prowess should lead to some serious court time from day one.....

 

[DemonDeac22]

A fair question.......time will tell but as you know UConn's transition game is a major component of their offense and Blanca appears to have the ideal skill set to thrive there........I haven't seen enough of her midrange and three point shooting to know what her full capabilities are but the ball-handling skills, the fearless dribble-drive mentality and her defensive prowess should lead to some serious court time from day one.....

Blanca’s ability to adapt to team defense requiring switching and to the UConn motion offense with staggered screens will be the key for her and the other incoming freshman. No matter what skills and abilities these players bring with them they need to show they can understand and play within these team concepts if they want to see the court.

 

[ec33]

I very nice spin move in the video. Looking through play-by-play write-up it seems that the majority of her shots/baskets are lay-ups. Any concerns that she won't be able to immediately replicate as a freshman with smaller, more packed (with defenders) paint area in US?

I'm not "bashing" --- I think it's a legitimate question/challenge for her.

The 3-point shooting needs work, but it isn't so bad as to not be a threat.

I think she will remain a threat to take the ball to the basket due to spacing in the UConn offense. That, and she appears to be too fast for the average player her size and too big for the average player her speed.

 

[Charliebball]

Blanca’s ability to adapt to team defense requiring switching and to the UConn motion offense with staggered screens will be the key for her and the other incoming freshman. No matter what skills and abilities these players bring with them they need to show they can understand and play within these team concepts if they want to see the court.

Agreed but since she's been playing for a professional European team that runs all kinds of complex sets not even considered in high school basketball or even elite summer competition I'd say she has a major head start over your typical incoming freshman........of course, the proof is in the pudding.......

 

[From Canada]

Box Score of game #2

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The best-of-5 semi-final series is now tied 1-1. Campobasso won the second game 61-59. For Blanca: 11 pts (5/10) - 5 reb. - 2 ast. The next two games will take place at Campobasso, on April 23 and 25. No highlights for the moment, but stay tuned...

Highlights

 

[MHD789]

Highlights

Thanks for posting. This was a game in which half the shot attempts were layups (thus 57% 2pt). Interesting to see shot selection in following games. She is no doubt a kamikazee driver which is great if she can do so without charging.

 

[UConnCat]

 

[BobbyJ]

No surprise, her talent level has been obvious all along. Now people can start worrying about whether or not she can learn the UConn offensive system.

 

[ec33]

Whenever I watch her I marvel at her strength.

 

[MHD789]

It was a nice move but the one-on-one defense was pretty unimpressive. The center you mentioned provided absolutely no help. Maybe the width of the paint area (4 feet more than NCAA) impacts the level of help defense in her league? When I watch the clips of her games the overall defense played just doesn't appear as intense as when UConn plays top notch teams. Does anyone else get a similar impression?

 

[From Canada]

Game #3 Box Score

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Overtime defeat 86-79. Venezia leads best-of-5 series, 2-1. Next game, Friday April 25 at Campobasso. Highlights to come later.

 

[MHD789]

Game #3 Box Score

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Overtime defeat 86-79. Venezia leads best-of-5 series, 2-1. Next game, Friday April 25 at Campobasso. Highlights to come later.

Thanks again for posting this. This game, only about one-third of her shots were layups (down from about 50% prior game). Also, she shot 50% for 3pt (2 of 4) which is very nice to see (I think so, at least).