Blanca Quinonez

[Molisanos]

I’ve been lucky enough to follow Blanca’s journey since day one, living here in Italy.
Just to give an idea of who she is:

She was 13 when she arrived. The agreement with the club was simple—she and her mom would visit Campobasso, then return to Ecuador to decide if she’d come back. After just 10 days, her mom told her it was time to pack. Blanca’s response: “You pack—I’m staying.”

Within three months, she was fully integrated.

Then COVID hit. She couldn’t return home. No family, no teammates, no way out. She stayed in Italy alone until borders reopened.

Today she speaks fluent Italian and was named best student-athlete at her (Italian) high school last year.

Let’s talk basketball. The Italian league is one of the most complex in the world—not just for the talent level, but for its tactical demands. A lot of top American players have struggled to adapt.

She’s not just ready—she’s built for this.

But even if she’s a fraud… you’ll love her anyway. She’s irresistible!

 

[MooseJaw]

Stats are misleading. It's more about the points scored (Azzi 462, Ash 308) than the percentage and most important the points in the critical games. No one is questioning Ash's conditioning, defense, or game impact and as long as she stays in her role with KK, the Huskies are good for another championship. But Azzi is the starter and Ash is not a PG, therefore I see a continuation of her coming off the bench.

What, are you alluding to the idea that Azzi is a point guard? If we have Azzi at the point next year we are in trouble.

 

[MHD789]

You’re new here so you may not realize how common it is for UConn fans to declare a freshman a potential starter or even All American before she even reports to campus. The fan base is especially, and understandably, giddy right now so hyperbole is to be expected

We also tend to be somewhat protective of Our Girls. They are essentially surrogate granddaughters. Woe to the outsider or newbie that criticizes one of them

Got it, thx! I see that Molisanos has just moved her up to tat least the #4 pick in the WNBA draft....what was I thinking??

 

[Molisanos]

Got it, thx! I see that Molisanos has just moved her up to tat least the #4 pick in the WNBA draft....what was I thinking??

Please keep this message, could be useful to see who was right in 4 years… Blanca’s draft is next year anyway.

 

[ERWUC65]

What, are you alluding to the idea that Azzi is a point guard? If we have Azzi at the point next year we are in trouble.

I was specifically addressing the SG (2) position. PG is a question mark for next year unless Geno goes to the portal. Both KK and Kelis could fill the role, but neither has the experience or BB IQ (like Kaitlyn).

 

[Charliebball]

Please keep this message, could be useful to see who was right in 4 years… Blanca’s draft is next year anyway.

Do you think she's going to stay at UConn for all four years or is she going to return to European basketball after a year or two until she's eligible to play in the WNBA?

 

[Molisanos]

Do you think she's going to stay at UConn for all four years or is she going to return to European basketball after a year or two until she's eligible to play in the WNBA?

Ask to MHD789! ‍♂️

 

[Bone Dog]

Got it, thx! I see that Molisanos has just moved her up to tat least the #4 pick in the WNBA draft....what was I thinking??

Bear in mind that @Molisanos has been on this forum for about a month and has made 11 posts. Perhaps you should choose your level better. After all, you've been an entire week and have 29 posts. Maybe the two of you should read more, get a feel for the place and your fellow posters before assuming you know better than everyone here.

 

[tower1]

From the videos i have seen of her she seems to be a pretty good rebounder and very good offensive player. So i disagree with your negative assessment of her, I think we will be surprised how good she is .

 

[Molisanos]

Bear in mind that @Molisanos has been on this forum for about a month and has made 11 posts. Perhaps you should choose your level better. After all, you've been an entire week and have 29 posts. Maybe the two of you should read more, get a feel for the place and your fellow posters before assuming you know better than everyone here.

I’ve been lucky enough to follow Blanca’s journey since day one, living here in Italy. Probably I know something about Blanca?
Anyway Ciao Ciao!

 

[CTBballfan243]

I was specifically addressing the SG (2) position. PG is a question mark for next year unless Geno goes to the portal. Both KK and Kelis could fill the role, but neither has the experience or BB IQ (like Kaitlyn).

KK doesn’t have the experience or BB IQ?????? LOL LOL. The team actually played better this year when KK played PG. Kaitlyn was good, but let’s not make her out to be the second coming of Sue Bird.

 

[my2cents]

Stats are misleading. It's more about the points scored (Azzi 462, Ash 308) than the percentage and most important the points in the critical games. No one is questioning Ash's conditioning, defense, or game impact and as long as she stays in her role with KK, the Huskies are good for another championship. But Azzi is the starter and Ash is not a PG, therefore I see a continuation of her coming off the bench.

Ash is 100% going to be a starter next year.

 

[oldude]

I’ve been lucky enough to follow Blanca’s journey since day one, living here in Italy. Probably I know something about Blanca?
Anyway Ciao Ciao!

Grazie

 

[Zonepress]

Bear in mind that @Molisanos has been on this forum for about a month and has made 11 posts. Perhaps you should choose your level better. After all, you've been an entire week and have 29 posts. Maybe the two of you should read more, get a feel for the place and your fellow posters before assuming you know better than everyone here.

it’s an open forum
and all opinions should be welcome as long as they conform to the rules laid out when you sign up

 

[DEpup]

Agree completely. While some parts of Blanca's game resemble Aubrey others don't. Aubrey was best as a 4, a great rebounder and defender, with limited perimeter skills. I paused the video when they showed Blanca's stats, and they clearly suggest we are talking about a 3, not a 4 or even a 3/4.

I think she could defend 4's, but her rebounding numbers are very much like an average 3, and way under par for a 4. Her handle and moves other than a straight line drive to the hoop (which she shares with Aubrey) are much better than Aubrey, and she draws fouls at an incredible rate.

Blanca's points per FG attempt is extremely high, due to a very good 2pt percentage and drawing so many fouls. At 27% how much of a 3pt threat she can become is still in doubt. Other than a very high rate of efficiency inside the arc, her other outstanding stat was the rate of steals, and blocks was pretty good (for a 3).

From video and stats there is not much reason to believe Blanca will be used or even considered at the 4, and therefore little threat to Ice, Jana or Ayanna, On the other hand she is a significant threat to the playing time of Ashlynn, Morgan, and Allie at the 3.

Sounds like you could be describing Kalena Greene from a historical husky point of view.

 

[ERWUC65]

KK doesn’t have the experience or BB IQ?????? LOL LOL. The team actually played better this year when KK played PG. Kaitlyn was good, but let’s not make her out to be the second coming of Sue Bird.

The team actually played better this year when KK played PG. Just that statement alone demonstrates the validity of your post. Why don't we let our fellow BYers comment on this. LOL.

 

[ERWUC65]

Ash is 100% going to be a starter next year.

You neglected to state at what position?

 

[donalddoowop]

Don't know why you'd write such a comment but apparently you got two thumbs up. Baffling.

In post number 41, you referred to Blanca as a poor girl.

 

[Steelerone]

Unfortunately we never really got to see Aubrey's full potential due to the extensive number of injuries so it's' impossible to make any type of realistic comparison. I think right now the best you can hope for is that she is as good as the coaches who recruited her think she is.

 

[Steelerone]

Boy, I really touched a nerve(s). And I apologize if I have upset anyone.

I root for all our Husky women & men to play great, stay healthy and realize their dreams. All my comments/opinions were based on the board's relative expectations for this incoming freshman in year #1 (which I interpreted as super high and perhaps unfair) and the stats that are available on the various websites.

I believe it was Molisanos that posted he/she felt that Blanca would go #7 in last night's WNBA draft --- which is fine. But that shared type of evaluation is what got me started on trying to temper expectations for the poor girl.

It's certainly "possible" that she could start and be a double/double contributor in year #1. I'm hoping we land a strong, experienced transfer so it's all a moot point and we can exploit the generational player we already have.

************************************************************************

And, yes, Nika's shooting improved her final year but unfortunately I've already confessed that I had already soured on her net contribution even though I knew she was (and always will be) a huge fan favorite.

There are already too many sheep dogs on here ready to anoint the next freshman as being ready to have their name hanging on the wall. The truth is that once you've been the biggest fish in the pond it's going to take time to learn to swim in a river