One of UConn’s top returning women’s basketball players is expected to be ready for the start of the upcoming season after undergoing surgery on her shoulder.
Blanca Quiñonez had a procedure done on Monday to repair a torn labrum in her left shoulder, according to a release from the program.
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The 6-foot-2 forward from Ecuador missed eight games her freshman season while battling the injury. She powered through it, though, and wound up being an instrumental piece to the Huskies’ success last season as they won 38 consecutive games, captured the Big East title and advanced to the 2026 Final Four before losing to South Carolina.
Quiñonez was voted Big East Rookie of the Year and Big East Sixth Player of the Year after averaging 10.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 53% from the floor and 39% from 3-point land. She was third on the team in scoring behind National Player of the Year Sarah Strong and No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick Azzi Fudd.
More: Blanca Quiñonez’s basketball odyssey a boon for UConn women’s title hopes
During the 2026 NCAA Tournament, Quiñonez shined during the second weekend and earned All-Region honors in Fort Worth 1, averaging 18 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.5 assists in wins over North Carolina and Notre Dame. She became the first UConn player to score 20 points off the bench in an NCAA tournament game when she did so against the Fighting Irish in the Elite Eight.
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Quiñonez also had a breakout performance in the regular season against Utah, where she scored 21 points in just 18 minutes of action in a win. She tallied a season-best five assists and four steals in a non-conference win over Iowa, too.
“She’s at her best when she’s putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim,” coach Geno Auriemma said of Quiñonez this past season. “She’s just so, so strong and so quick. She’s tough to keep away from the basket.”
Quiñonez left her family at the age of 13 to go play basketball in Italy and has lived away from them ever since. She is the first South American player to feature for UConn.
“To have the opportunity to represent Ecuador and Ecuadorian players is really important to me and it gives me a lot of joy,” Quiñonez told USA TODAY Sports during March Madness.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blanca Quiñonez to be ready for UConn women’s basketball season after shoulder surgery
