JJ Quinerly was the 27th pick out of 38 selections in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She is, without a doubt, a stellar addition to the Dallas Wings this season as a third-round pick.
Since being introduced to the starting lineup on June 28 in a win against Washington, Quinerly has scored 15 or more points in all three games. She has demonstrated the same defensive and offensive motor that made her beloved in college during her four seasons at West Virginia University.
She scored a career-high 18 points in a July 7 loss to the Phoenix Mercury. Quinerly is just getting better every game.
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Quinerly’s Elite Quickness
Despite being undersized at 5-foot-8, Quinerly’s quickness off the bounce allows her to score at will. Her self-created shot diet heavily consists of quick hesitations combined with a lethal first step.
Outside of just having a first step, her game-breaking speed is a problem in transition. Moreover, she is 7-for-14 on shots in transition this season, and that was her bread and butter with WVU.
Anytime there is a loose ball, Quinerly’s speed makes her an instant threat to grab the ball and go.
Defense is Quinerly’s calling card, and as an undersized guard, her speed is a major part of her talent. Besides, lateral quickness is crucial for every great perimeter defender.
Her speed, combined with her constant defensive awareness, makes it difficult for guards to breathe in the backcourt.
Shining as a Starter
Since her first career start against the Mystics, Quinerly has been in the Wings’ starting lineup in both games since. As the games go by, she makes it harder for Head Coach Chris Koclanes to bench her.
Quinerly is averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and one block in three games as a starter this season. This is all while shooting 51.4% overall, 50% from deep, and 100% from the stripe.
The Wings are 2-1 in such games.
Quinerly’s three-point shooting is a bonus that was not seen as a strength coming out of WVU. She was a career 32.2% three-point shooter with the Mountaineers and shot 31.4% as a senior.
Playing with the gravity of rookie playmakers Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James has given Quinerly wide-open looks she rarely saw as the lead ball handler in college. Consequently, her shooting stroke is flowing in her first taste of the W.
Early on, JJ Quinerly is the steal of the 2025 WNBA Draft.
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