WBB: 6-foot-9 Center Andrea Aquino Commits to Oregon State

Beaver nation just got bigger... well taller to be exact. Andrea Aquino, a 6-foot-9 center, originally from Paraguay has committed to Oregon State to play for Scott Rueck and the rest of the Beavs. She announced her decision via Twitter.

Andrea Aquino is not your typical high school recruit. As a 6-foot-7, 15-year old she was often mocked and felt out of place in the small city of Caacupe, Paraguay. Until one day a friend of her mother suggested she try basketball. Andrea knew nothing about basketball at the time, but once the Paraguay Basketball Federation received word of the teenager they immediately began to teach her the game from scratch.

In April of 2015, Andrea Aquino moved to the United States, to continue her basketball aspirations. She moved in with a cousin in New Jersey and has been playing for Eastside high ever since. Andrea has also been playing AAU ball with the New Jersey Sparks. Her AAU coach, Keith Gilchrist told ESPN that she can dunk in practice and that it won’t be long until she can dunk in transition without any problems.

Andrea Aquino has drawn comparisons to two-time WNBA defensive-player of the year, Brittney Griner. Aquino lists Griner as one of her idols and happened to run into her at the airport while on the way home from a basketball tournament.

Although Aquino is currently 18 years old, she will graduate with the 2018 class and join the Beavers as a freshman for the 2018-2019 season. Andrea Aquino is still relatively new to the sport of basketball, but is very athletic and agile for her height. She needs to get stronger and continue to develop her fundamentals, but has unlimited potential and if anyone can help her take the next step it’s Scott Rueck and the rest of Oregon State’s coaching staff.