Shane Laflin's Freshman Impact Rankings (merged)

[Sluconn Husky]

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."

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

 

[DEpup]

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.

 

[EricLA]

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.

 

[Stagnant]

Jazzy could win national freshman of the year. I wouldn’t be surprised at all. And she will have every opportunity with Juju gone. I think USC will be better than people think.

 

[Bone Dog]

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.

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.

 

[Stagnant]

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.

 

[CTtoSanDiego]

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."

 

[The CDR-Ret]

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!!!

 

[Bone Dog]

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.

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.

 

[Cuango]

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.

 

[Vowelguy]

It probably hurt ESPN to put out an article with so much UConn content in it..

Oh please.

UConn is the biggest brand in WCBB, by far.

 

[Bone Dog]

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.

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.