Shane Laflin's Freshman Impact Rankings (merged) | The Boneyard

Shane Laflin's Freshman Impact Rankings (merged)

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2. Blanca Quinonez, 6-2, G, UConn Huskies​


2025 SC Next 100 ranking: NR

A native of Ecuador, Quinonez spent the past four years playing against professionals in Italy, so her basketball IQ is higher than the average freshman. Her blend of size, versatility and shooting gives UConn flexibility in its lineups without sacrificing size -- such as when Paige Bueckers logged minutes even at the four spot last season. Quiñonez should see early minutes as another interchangeable piece in Geno Auriemma's rotation alongside Sarah Strong, especially when he wants to play small and faster.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma says: "Blanca is a mature player for someone just starting her first year of college basketball. Her ability with and without the ball will separate her from others. She'll be a great asset to this team."


www.espn.com

11 freshmen with the most impact -- including three from Stanford

Why Jazzy Davidson could make the biggest impact -- and all three Stanford recruits make these preseason rankings.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
Can't argue with that assessment. It probably hurt ESPN to put out an article with so much UConn content in it.

I do think the USC recruit will be asked to do a lot without Juju and Heckel transferring too when thinking about their back court.
 
I'm glad Blanca is getting some national attention. TBH, I'm actually really surprised - not because it's ESPN, but because even (some) UConn fans aren't sure how good she will be, as the starting spots are hotly contested. Of course, PT is more important than who starts, but I'd love to see the national "momentum" continue to build for her.
 
DEpup said:
I do think the USC recruit [Jazzy] will be asked to do a lot without Juju and Heckel transferring too when thinking about their back court.
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Totally agree! In a sense, Jazzy has lucked into the best possible situation for a freshman. The team is weak in the post, but this only means it will be hers to do with what she can. And she can do a lot. I also think the loss of Howell hurts the team as much as that of Kayleigh. Her main ‘partner in crime’ will be Kennedy Smith and I think they’ll work complement each other really well. In some respects, this team could end up resembling the one Juju stepped into her freshman year, a couple of significant talents and a so-so supporting cast. I wonder what sort of team and role Juju will return to.

I’m also a little surprised that Shane ranks Chavez so low, only #5. She’s likely to get as much playing time as Jazzy and will have a better supporting cast in Beers and Williams. I guess this is a make-or-break season for her. If she can’t make a splash at Oklahoma with the table practically set for her, it won’t bode well for the future.

And as for Blanca, what can you say? Someone in the national media has finally noticed her. The upper limit (if there is one) is sky high for her, and the worst that could happen is that she merely has a really solid season. Either she dazzles everyone or she merely impresses. Either way, the likelihood of a second NC looks pretty good with her in Storrs.
 
Came across this article on freshman who will make the most impact this year. Did not expect to see any Huskies, but was pleasantly surprised to see Blanca as #2! I have high hopes that she will be a major contributor.

11 freshmen with the most impact -- including three from Stanford

2. Blanca Quiñonez​

2025 SC Next 100 ranking: NR

A native of Ecuador, Quinonez spent the past four years playing against professionals in Italy, so her basketball IQ is higher than the average freshman. Her blend of size, versatility and shooting gives UConn flexibility in its lineups without sacrificing size -- such as when Paige Bueckers logged minutes even at the four spot last season. Quiñonez should see early minutes as another interchangeable piece in Geno Auriemma's rotation alongside Sarah Strong, especially when he wants to play small and faster.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma says: "Blanca is a mature player for someone just starting her first year of college basketball. Her ability with and without the ball will separate her from others. She'll be a great asset to this team."
 
Blanca may be one of the first three off the bench in November, but I think she will be in the starting line-up in December, 2025. Mentioning Paige's versatility in describing BQ may be a sign that she will be starting from the beginning, just like SS. The exhibition games may just flesh that out ==> only five days and eight minutes until BC @ Mohegan Sun Arena!!!

Hopefully, the "they love each other" phase (coined by Paige) will occur earlier this year around Thanksgiving, instead of the USC(arolina) game, which is not scheduled this season. sad face : (

(slightly OT): We will be getting a "scouting report" game when U$C plays at uNd on Friday, 11/21/2025, to aid the @U$C game on 12/13/25, and the uNd game @Gampel on Monday, 1/19/26.

Go Huskies!!!
 
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Stagnant said:
They cooled on Chavez after the McDonald’s all American game and some of the exhibition games. I think they started to think about the quality of competition she faced in high school.
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I guess this means the pressure on her to show she can do the same magic against D1 competition will be really high this season.
 
I think UCLA got the best one this year. Sienna Betts is a monster imo. I think she is better than her big sister and it would not surprise me at all to see her win FoY.
 
Cuango said:
I think UCLA got the best one this year. Sienna Betts is a monster imo. I think she is better than her big sister and it would not surprise me at all to see her win FoY.
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You may be right, though I’m not as confident as you are. She’s not so lumbering as her sister was as a freshman, and she seems to run the court pretty well. And she moves well to the basket already. But I’m not sure she’ll have any offense beyond 5’ from the rim, rather like Lauren. Maybe she’ll develop a midrange game that can work in D1 by her second or third season.
 
Stagnant said:
I am not convinced they can play the two sisters together. I think they are both centers.
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I agree, that a lineup with Betts & Betts will be limited at best. UCLA doesn’t need to get bigger. They need to get quicker.

If you go back and watch the UCLA - UConn national semifinal, it’s pretty clear that while the Bruins were bigger than the Huskies, they were woefully unable to keep up with UConn at either end of the court. They couldn’t cover UConn on the perimeter and their offense became pretty much one dimensional: throw the ball into Betts and stand around and watch.
 
Stagnant said:
I am not convinced they can play the two sisters together. I think they are both centers.
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Even if that's the case, they wouldn't have to worry about foul trouble and could have one of them on court all 40 mins. Also could run them more.
 
Cuango said:
I think UCLA got the best one this year. Sienna Betts is a monster imo. I think she is better than her big sister and it would not surprise me at all to see her win FoY.
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For Sienna to win National FoY, a lot of wheels need to fall off in Pauley Pavilion. With Kneepkens and Leger-Walker projected as either starters or 1-2 off the bench. If everyone is reasonably healthy, Siennawill likely be 3rd or 4th off the bench. Her impact will be lessened compared with Davidson, Chavez and Knox who are all likely starters.

I think a more feasible scenario would have her vying for Big Ten FoY.
 
Cuango said:
I think UCLA got the best one this year. Sienna Betts is a monster imo. I think she is better than her big sister and it would not surprise me at all to see her win FoY.
Expand ...
I, too, was impressed with Sienna in the games I watched this year, but the thing that separated her sister from other interior players (in addition to efficiency around the basket) was sheer size.
I do not believe Sienna will have that kind of impact as a 5 or 4 at "only" 6'4" - those 3 inches are a tremendous separator without a great mid or long range game.
 
Cuango said:
I think UCLA got the best one this year. Sienna Betts is a monster imo. I think she is better than her big sister and it would not surprise me at all to see her win FoY.
Expand ...
100% agree. Went to see LB play her senior HS season and by the 2nd quarter I was wondering who that other girl was...her game will speak.
 
oldude said:
I agree, that a lineup with Betts & Betts will be limited at best. UCLA doesn’t need to get bigger. They need to get quicker.

If you go back and watch the UCLA - UConn national semifinal, it’s pretty clear that while the Bruins were bigger than the Huskies, they were woefully unable to keep up with UConn at either end of the court. They couldn’t cover UConn on the perimeter and their offense became pretty much one dimensional: throw the ball into Betts and stand around and watch.
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Underrated aspect of UConn last season in the final four was how UConn’s guards came down and doubled the posts. Incredible. Paige especially. That should be back this year. IMO a reason Geno will keep small lineups out there again this year.
 
Basingstoke said:
I, too, was impressed with Sienna in the games I watched this year, but the thing that separated her sister from other interior players (in addition to efficiency around the basket) was sheer size.
I do not believe Sienna will have that kind of impact as a 5 or 4 at "only" 6'4" - those 3 inches are a tremendous separator without a great mid or long range game.
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That is true, size is something you cannot teach. However, I think Sienna is simply a better player, so much so that those three inches will not be able to make up for it. She is faster, more skilled, a better ball handler, and just plays more instinctively than Big Sis. Probably the best comparison is A’ja Wilson and Cardoso. I realize Cardoso is not as good as Lauren Betts but she is three inches taller than Wilson yet cannot carry Wilson’s gym bag. Again, not comparing Little Betts to A’ja either. I just see Sienna’s skill set and athleticism as far superior to her big sister’s. (Over time)
 
oldude said:
I will say what I have been saying for months.

BLANCA IS THE X-FACTOR!!!
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The arrival of Serah and Kayleigh, the return of CD and Ayanna to playing form, the growth of Ice and Jana, the further development of Azzi and Sarah, and the numerous permutations and combinations of 15 players, among others, are very interesting and exciting things for us to finally begin to observe this year. None, I repeat none, is more intriguing than Blanca.
 
BBallF said:
The arrival of Serah and Kayleigh, the return of CD and Ayanna to playing form, the growth of Ice and Jana, the further development of Azzi and Sarah, and the numerous permutations and combinations of 15 players, among others, are very interesting and exciting things for us to finally begin to observe this year. None, I repeat none, is more intriguing than Blanca.
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As I have pointed out previously, with a healthy 15 player roster, Geno can roll out 3,003 different 5-player combinations this coming season……..the Mad Scientist in his laboratory. 🤯
 
oldude said:
As I have pointed out previously, with a healthy 15 player roster, Geno can roll out 3,003 different 5-player combinations this coming season……..the Mad Scientist in his laboratory. 🤯
Expand ...
# 3002 will be Kelis, Ash, Azzi, and Kayleigh with Allie playing the post. #3003 will be Gandy, Ice, Jana, and Serah with Sarah as the PG. 🏀
 

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