2025 Recruiting: Blanca Quinonez

[Bone Dog]

Blanca is a great finisher on the break and generally in transition. Greater even than Aubrey. She’s been doing this move all year. It’s a practiced move, not an improv, which gives you a sense of how much attention she pays to her skills in practice.

Of course, she’ll only crack the rotation in February if she gets the defense down. But if she gives Geno a reason to play her, she’ll deliver on offense. My guess is she will and we will all be wowed. And this will be really important for the following season once Azzi Serah Carol graduate. [don’t worry, I know some of them have already graduated. I’m just using the term as a metaphor for completing their eligibility.] She could be the 3rd scorer that season next to Sarah and Ash. I picture her as a bigger Aubrey with a much more aggressive offensive mindset. Similar speed and intensity.

 

[Sluconn Husky]

Over the last couple years I've watched all the top US HS players in these international tourneys and domestic postseason tournaments and All Star games. And I haven't seen any of them attack a defender under control in the open court, turn them inside out with a spin, and actually finish like Quinonez does here. Come to think of it I haven't seen a UConn kid do it like this, even against a team like Butler or Xavier. I think she'll get some PT.

There's nothing in that play that shouts incoming college freshman. Not in the move itself but the confident smoothness of it. It I didn't know better I'd think she were 25, and a big-time pro.

 

[BobbyJ]

There's nothing in that play that shouts incoming college freshman. Not in the move itself but the confident smoothness of it. It I didn't know better I'd think she were 25, and a big-time pro.

I agree. It’s part of why I considered her a unique talent as soon as I saw the first couple of videos of her. The quick feet, athleticism, and savvy jump out of the clips I’ve seen.

 

[Molisanos]

Blanca is a great finisher on the break and generally in transition. Greater even than Aubrey. She’s been doing this move all year. It’s a practiced move, not an improv, which gives you a sense of how much attention she pays to her skills in practice.

Of course, she’ll only crack the rotation in February if she gets the defense down. But if she gives Geno a reason to play her, she’ll deliver on offense. My guess is she will and we will all be wowed. And this will be really important for the following season once Azzi Serah Carol graduate. [don’t worry, I know some of them have already graduated. I’m just using the term as a metaphor for completing their eligibility.] She could be the 3rd scorer that season next to Sarah and Ash. I picture her as a bigger Aubrey with a much more aggressive offensive mindset. Similar speed and intensity.

I hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that Blanca’s best quality is her defense... she can play defense against players from PG to Centers... For example in this clip was playing defense against Awak Kuier, 6'5" born 2001 that was second overall pick in the Wnba draft 2 years ago

 

[Bone Dog]

I hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that Blanca’s best quality is her defense... she can play defense against players from PG to Centers... For example in this clip was playing defense against Awak Kuier, 6'5" born 2001 that was second overall pick in the Wnba draft 2 years ago

I hope you’re right. She looks like a great one-on-one defender in many of the games I’ve seen. She gets impressive blocks and steals. This will be important, of course. But it’s not all there is to defense at UConn. There’s also team defense, which is about switching, being in the right place at the right moment, fighting through screens, diving for loose balls and chasing down rebounds. In other words doing all the little things that don’t always get noticed. And above all, tireless running and relentless effort.

To get a sense of this, watch Ash in any of the games in the second half of the season and the tournament. Or Azzi or Paige or Sarah or KK. As great as they all are, they don’t rest on laurels or focus on getting noticed. They’re all about effort and sacrifice for the team. That’s what Geno will expect of Blanca, and if she’s understood what Geno and CD are all about, she’ll understand this too.

I can hardly wait to see her play.

 

[Molisanos]

Blanca’s interview with english subtitules
For fans who want to know more about Blanca Quiñónez, this is a great interview.

 

[Charliebball]

Blanca’s interview with english subtitules
For fans who want to know more about Blanca Quiñónez, this is a great interview.

From listening to her, you'd think she was a college senior not an incoming freshman.........I suspect she will have a huge impact on the team from day one.......

 

[Sluconn Husky]

 

[Scud49]

Like everyone else, I'm uber excited for this upcoming year. But I have to admit, of all the new faces, Blanca is the one that really captures my fancy the most- she seems like one super kid with so much promise...!

 

[oldhusky]

Like everyone else, I'm uber excited for this upcoming year. But I have to admit, of all the new faces, Blanca is the one that really captures my fancy the most- she seems like one super kid with so much promise...!

Agreed! I think Blanca has by far the best chance to make a big impact on this program among the newcomers. I feel like Kayleigh, Kellis, and Gandy are all expected to be solid contributors down the road, but perhaps only Kaleigh this year. Serah should be very good and a great fit for this year, but of course we only get her for one year.

If Blanca is the real deal, she could be a four year starter at the 3, and a future All America candidate and WNBA player. Maybe expecting her to step right in as a freshmen as a starter is too optimistic, but the foreign experience may put her further down the development curve than many freshmen. Obviously Ash as a 5th starter is a distinct possibility, but Ash is a 2 not a natural 3 like Blanca is, and I believe Blanca's upside at least at the 3 is much higher if she is ready.

 

[Bone Dog]

If Blanca is the real deal, she could be a four year starter at the 3, and a future All America candidate and WNBA player. Maybe expecting her to step right in as a freshmen as a starter is too optimistic, but the foreign experience may put her further down the development curve than many freshmen. Obviously Ash as a 5th starter is a distinct possibility, but Ash is a 2 not a natural 3 like Blanca is, and I believe Blanca's upside at least at the 3 is much higher if she is ready.

If Blanca is the real deal, as I sincerely hope, I have a feeling her impact will be felt at the 4 as much as the 3. She’s a pretty good outside shooter, but she seems really comfortable operating in the paint too on offense and defense. I suspect we’ll see her and Sarah out on transition a lot in the coming years. In the small lineup, she and Morgan might become perfect complements to Sarah.

 

[Bone Dog]

Just to expand on that last remark: during Paige's years transition mainly looked like Christyn or Aubrey streaking down the court for a touchdown pass from Paige. It's easy to forget that Liv also was on the receiving end of a few of those passes. Aaliyah found herself running in transition, though more often it was as a result of steals out past the top of the key. Geno likes having the bigs get out in transition because even though opposing guards will likely be quicker, they typically can't handle a big moving at speed toward the rim.

This season, the transition target was very often Sarah who was always looking for an opportunity to break down the court after a rebound. This was practically a signature play. I'm reminded of a beautiful one in the NC game where KK has the ball and Sarah is out in front but not yet sprinting and an SC guard (Milaysia?) is tracking her. At a nod from KK, Sarah turns on the jets and gets a surprise step on the guard, and KK hits her with the pass. And Sarah flips the ball into the hoop.

Next season, I expect we'll see a lot more breaks led by the bigs -- Sarah of course, but also Serah who can be a good finisher. And we have a plethora of 6'2" players who are at least as speedy as Sarah, like Morgan and Ayanna and Carol. In this group, Blanca stands out as the speediest, and I fully expect Geno to encourage all of them to get out in transition after any defensive rebounds. Blanca is a great finisher, she runs like Aubrey, and she's too big for little guards to handle. I'm hopeful that Blanca will play defense like Sarah does, with quick hands and smart blocks, but also with sure-handed rebounds. Maybe not this season, but perhaps by her sophomore season, I will not be surprised to see Blanca and Sarah as the anchors of the small lineup and the transition game will feature the two of them.

 

[Crossover]

Her maturity jumps off the screen, and she is wise beyond her years.

 

[ec33]

If Blanca is the real deal, as I sincerely hope, I have a feeling her impact will be felt at the 4 as much as the 3. She’s a pretty good outside shooter, but she seems really comfortable operating in the paint too on offense and defense.

The UConn offense is relatively position-less (especially last season when UConn ran multiple PG-capable people and had Sarah in the post). The "position numbers" are more about defensive matchups and Blanca seems to have the speed and size to handle most people outside of true posts and PGs.

 

[oldhusky]

The UConn offense is relatively position-less (especially last season when UConn ran multiple PG-capable people and had Sarah in the post). The "position numbers" are more about defensive matchups and Blanca seems to have the speed and size to handle most people outside of true posts and PGs.

I agree with relatively position-less, and that Blanca could play the 4, and guard 2-4, but so far with her stats and highlights I don't see much evidence of her being a big time rebounder. At least for this season if obviously Sarah and Serah will get major minutes, the only way for Blanca to get 25-30 is if most of those are at the 3.

If those three are in together, Blanca at the 3, Sarah at the 4 and Serah at the 5 seems like the obvious best use of those three simultaneously IMO.

 

[Bone Dog]

I agree with relatively position-less, and that Blanca could play the 4, and guard 2-4, but so far with her stats and highlights I don't see much evidence of her being a big time rebounder. At least for this season if obviously Sarah and Serah will get major minutes, the only way for Blanca to get 25-30 is if most of those are at the 3.

If those three are in together, Blanca at the 3, Sarah at the 4 and Serah at the 5 seems like the obvious best use of those three simultaneously IMO.

My guess is if Sarah and Serah are in the game together in November-December -- in other words, it's a big lineup -- Geno is likely to use three guards to maximize speed and outside shooting, not Blanca. That says to me any three of Azzi, Ash, KK, Kayleigh, and Allie. I include Allie for her perimeter shooting, and also because Sarah and Serah can erase a lot of defensive mistakes. Here's why: on offense and defense, I suspect Geno will have them taking turns occupying the low post and the top of the key. In one version, Serah is an offensive force in the low post, which means opposing teams will be tempted to cheat down to double her. Having perimeter threats will discourage this and unleash Serah with single coverage.

I'd mainly expect to see Blanca in lineups with only one or another of them, not both. In other words, a small lineup. Blanca could supply muscle and speed in such a lineup, whether it's as a 3 or a 4. If she's on the floor with Sarah or Serah and include all the big guard/wings, it's a small lineup with a surprising amount of length. If Ayanna is on the floor, then Blanca is nominally a 3. I could picture Geno having KK and Kayleigh (or Ash) on the floor together in such a lineup. The point would be to maximize defensive pressure and transition offense, while giving Azzi and/or Sarah a rest.

 

[FormerCTrez]

Blanca’s interview with english subtitules
For fans who want to know more about Blanca Quiñónez, this is a great interview.

An awesome read. Thanks for sharing.

 

[darrell]

Looks like Blanca has arrived to campus.

 

[cgshuskie]

Well, it's all about to go down. Watch out for Uconn!!!

 

[From Canada]

College basketball analyst Mark Zanetto predicts that Blanca Quinonez will be part of the starting five!

‘They'd Be Shocked If She Doesn't Start’: College Hoops Analyst Makes Bold Prediction About UConn’s Blanca Quiñonez’s Fate in 2025 | College Sports Network

Coming in as a rare UConn Husky from South America, college basketball analysts Mark Zanetto and Chelsea Sherrod predict Blanca Quinonez's fate in coach Geno Auriemma's squad.

collegefootballnetwork.com

While this is a bold prediction, it is far from impossible. Geno is a coach who has shown that he knows how to evolve. Unlike others, he did not hesitate to start Sarah Strong last year or Paige when she made her debut. Blanca is solid defensively, and the team would be less exposed in defensive rotations because she is 6'2" and can defend all positions. She is also a player who excels at attacking the basket. When I looked at last year's box scores, there was one statistic that came up often: she was almost always the player on whom the other team committed the most personal fouls. However, her three-point shooting needs improvement.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

 

[Bone Dog]

She is also a player who excels at attacking the basket. When I looked at last year's box scores, there was one statistic that came up often: she was almost always the player on whom the other team committed the most personal fouls.

Wow! Excellent catch! Blanca’s ability to finish at the rim is easy to see in the available videos. But those are mostly in transition. But the fouls stat you noticed suggests that she is perfectly capable of slashing in the half court offense. Geno definitely knows how to use a player like this.

 

[Alydar]

Euro style involves a lot of ball movement and I expect that playing without the ball won't be as strange to her as it is to "shoot first" US elite players who dominate the ball.

My ceiling for her is very high.

 

[hoophuskee]

Sj

her recruitment process was far to be normal, her goal was Uconn and once she had their interest she stop searching other opportunities... Uconn was very fast to understand her value and her intentions and they blow up all the others, even South Carolina tried to interfere when they understood her value... This is what I heard here

How would you comapre her to Juju, Jasmine Davidson, and Soniya Hall?

And I see her her as a 3/4. You see her the same as that?

 

[Molisanos]

How would you comapre her to Juju, Jasmine Davidson, and Soniya Hall?

And I see her her as a 3/4. You see her the same as that?

Blanca is unique in her totality. She’s a 3/4, but can be used as 5 or 2 and she can even push the ball up if needed. I’m pretty sure that in the end we’ll see her in a small-ball lineup with Sarah Strong, Fudd, Shade, and Arnold, and that team will be super fun to watch.

 

[BIGMAC]

Do you think we should close this thread since she is a player and no longer a recruit?

 

[Bone Dog]

How would you comapre her to Juju, Jasmine Davidson, and Soniya Hall?

And I see her her as a 3/4. You see her the same as that?

She’s much bigger and stronger than Jazzy. Saniyah is a closer physical type, and Blanca appears to be quite a bit quicker.

From the perspective of pure physicality, Juju is quite similar: big and quick. She also has the same agressive mindset that Blanca has developed.

I’d say that Juju has a more developed offensive game at all levels. Her only limit appears to be strongly favoring her right hand, and she was working on developing her left hand over last summer. Blanca’s offense is good but perhaps not as good as Juju’s and certainly not as a perimeter shooter. Also, Juju creates more free throw opportunities than anyone and this does not appear to be likely for Blanca who does not seek to score through contact nearly as much. On the other hand, I’d guess that her defense may be just as good as Juju’s if not better.

 

[Molisanos]

She’s much bigger and stronger than Jazzy. Saniyah is a closer physical type, and Blanca appears to be quite a bit quicker.

From the perspective of pure physicality, Juju is quite similar: big and quick. She also has the same agressive mindset that Blanca has developed.

I’d say that Juju has a more developed offensive game at all levels. Her only limit appears to be strongly favoring her right hand, and she was working on developing her left hand over last summer. Blanca’s offense is good but perhaps not as good as Juju’s and certainly not as a perimeter shooter. Also, Juju creates more free throw opportunities than anyone and this does not appear to be likely for Blanca who does not seek to score through contact nearly as much. On the other hand, I’d guess that her defense may be just as good as Juju’s .

Remember that Blanca played against women and still drew a lot of fouls, finishing through contact for plenty of ‘and-ones.’ In the first half of last season she went through a brief ‘layup slump,’ missing some easy finishes after spectacular plays that had already lifted the crowd to its feet, otherwise her numbers would have been even stronger. Against players her own age she was virtually unstoppable.
The main difference compared to talents like Juju Watkins or even Paige Bueckers is that Blanca relies heavily on her ability to finish at the rim, with her mid-range game not yet fully developed. On the other hand, her three-point shooting continues to improve steadily, day after day. Uconn gets a potential top 10 draft player

 

[ConnMotors]

Do you think we should close this thread since she is a player and no longer a recruit?

Thank you….

 

[Tonyc]

Alot of questions. Here is what we know. Blanca is very quick, has played against much older players (played up) many of whom are more developed then the teams UConn will play. We know she is a scorer and a good outside shooter not a Paige or Juju or Azzi etc. She plays very good defense can rebound. It sounds like many of us are anxious to see what she can do in a game. I will be at the UConn practice at Sacred Heart Univ and will give a report.

 

[Charliebball]

Alot of questions. Here is what we know. Blanca is very quick, has played against much older players (played up) many of whom are more developed then the teams UConn will play. We know she is a scorer and a good outside shooter not a Paige or Juju or Azzi etc. She plays very good defense can rebound. It sounds like many of us are anxious to see what she can do in a game. I will be at the UConn practice at Sacred Heart Univ and will give a report.

Looking forward to hearing about all of the new players........also, I'd like to know how Caroline and Morgan are coming along........I hope somebody shoots some video for all of us who couldn't make it there....