He has not yet settled on a rotation, let alone a starting lineup, so there remains an air of mystery to the new-look Beavers. Focus turned to Aquino, the tallest. Joined Oregon State as the No. Chris Hansen & Brandon Clay. Avatar. The Beavers debuted at No. She realized that this was the body God gave her. Get her an education. Theyre very supportive. The Department of Homeland Security contacted her, and she had a meeting with them. The Pac-12 schedule will include 20 games starting Dec. 4, marking the first time in Ruecks tenure the Beavers will play a conference game before January. Steve Politi and Matthew Stanmyre, reporters with NJ Advance Media, published a series of investigative reports in 2017, in which Aquino was found to be one of at least eight international players at Eastside to fall victim to what a leading immigration attorney at the time called "child smuggling and child trafficking" to create an "international pipeline" to the prep powerhouse, according to the report, while school officials turned a "blind eye." After one game, she stood in the middle of a crowd, opened her arms wide, her wingspan long enough to hold numerous kids inside. Without knowing English, Aquino hopped on a plane to New Jersey on April 14, 2015. Eggs. Oregon State wrapped up its regular season with a 60-45 loss at Colorado on Saturday. Once the game tips off, she assumes her usual spot on the bench, and despite being one of the country's most coveted recruits in 2017, she doesn't play. Instead, shell be accompanied by Vivi and Steve Hatcher of Hillsboro, a couple she met early in her career. With everything going on in the world, that sense of normalcy has been refreshing.. Check out Andrea Aquino's high school sports stats, including game updates while playing basketball at Ribet Academy High School. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. She was afraid of somehow losing her scholarship to OSU. Aquino drew the eye of Oregon State coach Scott Rueck, who was immediately enamored with what he saw on the court. Everything looked beautiful to Aquino when she first landed in Paterson. He had never seen someone that tall with that kind of mobility. Nilda would travel to Brazil and Argentina, buying and selling merchandise. She felt homesick at first, living in Asuncion. She wasn't ashamed. Wisconsin, West Virginia, Rutgers, North Carolina, Indiana, Oregon State, Dayton and Eastern . 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Kevin and Emily agreed to become Aquino's legal guardians, and Aquino moved in with them and attended Ribet Academy, a small private school near Los Angeles, for her final prep season. Cal managed to keep things tight, and went on a four point run as the half closed out to take a two point, 35-33 lead into the locker room. It could be her final appearance in Gill as a member of the program, or she could return again next season. Facebook gives people the power to. Aquino's coaches kept telling her they'd help her find a lawyer, but they didn't. She cried herself to sleep some nights, whispering to God in between sobs: She believed in God. "She had so many responsibilities," Aquino says. It's still a struggle to find jeans that fit. Neither do we. The Beavers improve to 13-10 overall, and 6-7 in Pac-12 play. NJ Advance Media also reported that officials from New Jersey's Immigration and Customs Enforcement office were investigating. She announced her decision via Twitter. Aquino says shes grateful for the unusual gesture. It was hard to hear, but it made sense, Rueck said. She started playing AAU basketball with the New Jersey Sparks, turning heads on the circuit. The weather was getting colder, too, and her coaches told her they'd get her a winter jacket or a coat but never did. ELITE 60 Rankings - 2024 Class. Until she couldn't. Andrea Aquino made an honorary start and scored her first career points as Oregon State took on California on Senior Day on Sunday, Feb. 20. And so, what do you do with that? Still, she missed her mom. When first facing the prospect of a career-ending medical condition, there were plenty of questions for Rueck. [citation needed] The first track endorser was distance runner Steve Prefontaine.Prefontaine was the prized pupil of the company's co . She felt nervous and dropped her phone, breaking the screen. Stairs. That's why I don't give up.". You know you could be a superstar? Her basketball asset was height and athleticism, but not much experience. Refine Your Results. The Beavers only scored 6 points in the final six minutes of the game, but the defense managed to shut down Cal to such an extent that any scoring woes didnt matter. There has been some discussion of that. It was Aquino's . Includes all current and previously known phone numbers for Manuel A Aquino Jr. (816) 561-0810: Landline Last reported Feb 2023 (816) 531-3114: Landline Last reported Dec 2008 (816 . Aquino had no idea how they became aware of her situation. When the season started, Aquino seemed to float through triple-teams, unbothered by girls hacking at her. Theres one week left in the regular season, and Oregon State will be on the road to close it out. 3. Aquino drew the eye of Oregon State coach Scott Rueck, who was immediately enamored with what he saw on the court. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. And on top of it all, the Beavers are integrating five new players and three new starters to an overhauled lineup. She was taller than anyone, towering over classmates since second grade when she sprouted to 5'10". Go. Her addition made a Final Four run a distinct possibility, Rueck believed. Aquino's lawyer accompanied her to the meeting with Homeland Security in New York. But she didn't have any money. It didn't make sense. Now Andrea Aquino is starring at New Jersey's Eastside and spurting up the recruiting rankings. Bleacher Report article on Oregon State's Andrea Aquino. "She knows every room she goes into, there's always going to be heads that are turning," says Usach Nelson, one of her closest friends on campus. Taya Corosdale was second, with 10 points, 9 rebounds and an assist. 2023-01-03 07:30. ', "And so I think she's got a big-time perspective, and it just makes you appreciate everything you've been given based upon how she responded to that., It was this season's team retreat that stands out most for Rueck, when Aquino addressed her situation with a little more clarity probably than she ever had.. It was Aquino's first appearance as a Beaver.. Teammates and friends loved her. The girl, resting on a mat, reasoned that she had already finished her set. An asset. When the man spoke to Aquino, it was the first time someone viewed her body not as an aberration but as a gift. Andrea Aquino Student-Athlete at Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon, United States 50 followers 49 connections Join to view profile Oregon State Athletics Oregon State. Former Beavers standout Mikayla Pivic,who spent two seasons as Aquinos teammate, said it was nice to see the university take that approach. built one of the best and most consistent. A pair of Ellie Mack free throws sealed the win as time expired, with the Beavers up 68-59. A chance at the WNBA. Waited for the ball to come to her rather than demanding it. With pink lip gloss, dangling silver earrings and matching silver bracelet, she looked beautiful, strong, confident. Because it doesn't do any good to me. The Oregon State campus, normally bustling this time of year, is oddly sleepy as courses have shifted from classrooms to computers. All Rights Reserved. They proudly wore heels. as if the two somehow are mutually exclusive. View All Details . Watch as Oregon State freshman forward Andrea Aquino dunks during a shootaround ahead of the Beavers' matchup against Washington on Jan. 25. Im grateful for that. I can't even imagine this team without her., Andrea Aquino, left, is so appreciative of what Oregon State has done for her by keeping her on scholarship despite not being able to play. She didn't want to discuss it in a recent interview. Joe Freeman | jfreeman@oregonian.com | 503-294-5183 | @BlazerFreeman | Subscribe to The Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories. Real. "Get in! Aquino came to Oregon State with as much basketball promise as she is tall, only to have it quickly shut down because of a medical condition. Instead, she found a new home and another family. You can cancel at any time. "I came to a point where I just decided, I'm not going to live a life just hiding from everybody just because I'm tall," Aquino says. or for any purpose protected under the FCRA. She wants us to win as much as we want to win, and she has a fire in her, and I think she's just like the fuel that we need on our team. Give me another death! 15 in an ESPN preseason poll and have added talent and depth to a roster that brings back plenty. The neighborhood she was staying in seemed really nice. La primera seccin contiene nueve comunicaciones ledas en las VII Jornada de Estudios "Shes just an amazing person and so sincere and genuine, and I love our relationship.. Get info on Pedro I Hernandez - Corvallis, Oregon - (787) 265-7893. Andrea Aquino - Women's Basketball - Oregon State University Athletics 2 Andrea Aquino Position: Forward Height: 6-9 Class: Redshirt Sophomore Hometown: Caacupe, Paraguay REDSHIRT-SOPHOMORE (2021-22): Scored the first two points of her only collegiate appearance on Senior Day vs. California (2/20). 7 by the time she signed with Oregon State in March 2017, becoming the highest-ranked player to ever sign with the program. She found milk and snacks at an after-school program. Oregon. Goforth, a 6-1 McDonalds All-American from Fayetteville, Arkansas, is the most heralded of the group and is teeming with potential. With the guards that we had and her ability (at post), I felt like we were going to be unbeatable, Rueck said. What made the situation bearable was that Aquino felt accepted on the court. The first time she shot? To have that flipped upside down in such a short period of time was devastating for everyone, he said, to the team and to the program. Once the game tips off, she assumes her usual spot on the bench, and despite being one of the country's most coveted recruits in 2017, she doesn't play. "And even though I dont step on the court, I've never felt left out.. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. She blushed, looked surprised. Said OSU coach Scott Rueck of Andrea Aquino: When something in your life gets taken away thats so important to you, it would be really easy to quit and go negative and get bitter and angry. This is how I came into this world, and I can't change it. "My mom is my motivation. Date. SELECT AGE . Didn't have health insurance or access to much food. Her first Christmas with them, the whole house seemed to glow with lights. Andrea Aquino made an honorary start and scored her first career points as Oregon State took on California on Senior Day on Sunday, Feb. 20. 9 Oregon State take on No. This article contains a list of Nike, Inc. sponsorships.. Nike pays top athletes in many sports to use their products and promote and advertise their technology and design.. Nike's first professional athlete endorser was Romanian tennis player Ilie Nstase. Oregon States road woes continued on Thursday with a 70-58 loss at Utah in a Pac-12 Conference womens basketball game. And they did. The ball soared out of bounds. Its not lost on Aquino that Oregon State kept her on scholarship even though she cant play. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 17.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 7.0 blocks per game in her 2016-17 high school season, earning All-State honors in New Jersey. That would be a little nervous for me, but it would be nice, Aquino said. As much as Aquino wanted to tell her mom what was happening, she didn't. But one thing that is not in question, Rueck said, is the Beavers' work ethic, a program cornerstone epitomized by team leader Goodman, who oozes grit and thrives on competition. She didn't play basketball. Andrea Aquino, the highest rated recruit in OSU history, is among Sundays honorees. This isnt what Aquino expected. She thought that would be the best solution for Aquino. The school lists her as a redshirt sophomore. Something that could make her famous. Vital Records & More. She really wanted to take the opportunity, and her mom became supportive. And now Ellie gives the Beavers the lead!Oregon State has scored 10 unanswered and Cal calls timeout!Watch: https://t.co/ETvZtn7Dkz#GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/C5nJK9342m. She didn't want to discuss it in a recent interview. She felt deceived. Shes as much a part of the team as any starter. The first couple practices were a little awkward, Beavers coach Scott Rueck said. She plays elite defense, has the ability to knock the three down and is just a slasher to the rim. She thought about returning home to Paraguay, but one of her new teammates convinced her not to. One afternoon, she went with the man to a house and was greeted by a Dominican woman: "Cuando te mudas?" The man took a picture of her. Not a big deal. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. And I really think this team has a high ceiling.. Rueck also cant help but gush about his incoming freshman class, which features three very skilled guards who he says will have an opportunity to contribute: Sasha Goforth, Savannah Samuel and Teresa Faustino. Her friend tried to make her giggle, fist-bumping her shoulder. I have to dial them back, in fact, they go so hard. Another option for Aquino was transferring to another school and see if she could get cleared to play. If she could disappear, then no one could hurt her. Shes been a productive member who gives every day shes speaking straight into peoples souls.. Gender Female. He promised Nilda he'd help her financially, toothat he'd bring her clothes so she could resell them. Among them is a bona fide star, forward Taya Corosdale, who has 101 career starts. Or she could potentially go into coaching, since she's learned so much from watching the past four years. We must continue until He says stop. She still drained jumper after jumper, one of the few girls in the Duarte gym full of men, including then-USC star point guard Jordan McLaughlin, who now plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the bullying persisted and hiding was temporary relief. 7 rated player in the nation according to ESPN, making her the highest rated signee in program history. We talk about family and shes the definition of it for us, sticking with somebody through hard times.. El Camino Real's Montana University-bound Eddie Egan's 20 points for the boy's City Section fueled a startling comeback victory over the Southern Section, and Serra's Cheyenne Givens' 18 points staved off a late rally against the City Section at the 20th annual Collision All Star Game presented by Wooter Apparel on April 14 at Harbor College in Wilmington. A few free throws later and Oregon State carried a five point lead in to the fourth. Andrea Aquino did a little research when Oregon State became interested in recruiting her. She agreed to come to America despite her mother's reservations. Slowly learning English. Check other contact information for Andre M Adams. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Played for Club Libertad in Paraguay, leading the team to a championship in the 2014-15 season. "You know you can be a superstar in basketball?" Looking good, Rueck said. Aquino hasnt worn a uniform at an Oregon State game since her freshman year, but shed be willing in this instance. It was the first of many lies Aquino was fed as she was eventually left in the care of Eastside's coaches, who didn't take care of her. Neither do we. She tried to ignore it. Taylor Jones, a third-year player in the program who is out the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, isnt sure how she would respond if she were faced with Aquino's challenges. Soon after, Aquino moved to the capital of Paraguay, Asuncin, where she spent about a year learning the sport. Aquino threw herself into school and the Beavers. People knew her for her sweet, funny, vibrant personality. While he certainly was focused on the next days game, it was hard not to think about what the future held. Has three siblings: Gustavo, Adriana and Christian Samuel, Didnt start playing basketball until the age of 15. Its part of the reason I think Ive been playing a little better is because of Dre.. "So for me it happened a little earlier, but I'm definitely thankful for the lessons that I have had.. Support OregonLive. She hardly left home during these early teenage years, hoping to avoid stares and rude comments, unless she had to accompany her mom to sell homemade items: pan con queso (bread with cheese), guava jam, perfume and laundry detergent. That last part sold Aquino: the thought of her mother no longer having to sell guava jam. Aquino was embarrassed to be in public because of her height. "It was a circle of lies," she says. Thats the fun of teaching. Were so lucky to have her on this team, said senior forward Ellie Mack. She didn't know who she could trust. For now, she yearns to be back in the center of Gill Coliseum, embraced by fans after games. I feel like she believes in me. The 6-foot-9 Aquino is a fan favorite, for what. Andrea Aquino, left, says "my perspective of life is looking at the positive things right now. Fortunately, the OSU administration agreed, and Aquino has been able to develop off the court and as a teammate. Her quick development opened the door for the then-16-year-old Aquino to move to the United States to possibly earn a college scholarship. She learned how much she could endure. Back to the motorcycle. Thank you for being you #GoBeavs x #WeAreFamily pic.twitter.com/NXXa0V3QR4. "America is the land of the dream," Aquino says, "We were three young ladies trying to survive and keep going.". Andrea has been found in 16 states including Florida, California, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon. Shes someone that everyone looks up to, and everyone admires what she's been through and what shes going through. Aquino tried to keep faith while in Paterson, while competing at the highest level in the state. Freak. First, Kampschroeder is tasked with trying to defend Aquino as she attempts 3-pointers. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Aquino could have been the next great center for OSU's strong. Oregon State's Andrea Aquino cheers on her teammates. Andrea Aquino could easily have been the next great center for the Oregon State women's basketball program. Anything we're going through, you can always bring it to Andrea, Pivec said. She is majoring in business management and plans to someday become a coach, hopefully after returning to the court for OSU and playing professionally in the WNBA. What if they take me back home? That was really amazing because not a lot of people would just take a stranger to their house and treat them as their own child, (but) that's what they did with me, Aquino said. Ribet Academy's Andrea Aquino: Making her mark on basketball in L.A. At 6-foot-9, Ribet Academy's Andrea Aquino is the tallest girls basketball player in the nation, and perhaps the tallest in. Once, during summer AAU basketball, she twisted her ankle so badly she couldn't walk. Cal held momentum for most of the third quarter, extending their lead to as much as seven with a Leilani McIntosh three. The coaches treated her with kindness and respect. Skinnybrains. Everything was really good, Aquino said. When something in your life gets taken away thats so important to you, it would be really easy to quit and go negative and get bitter and angry. And let that be who you are. Aquino rushed out of her bedroom and found presents waiting for her. And she thought of what her mom used to tell her when she was a child: There's a reason why God put us on the path that we are on. She also worked in a government office that was part of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare. Off to Paterson, New Jersey she went in search of that brighter future, one she hoped would someday allow her to take care of the family she left behind. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. She hugged them, smiled with them. The Beavers on Monday earned an at-large berth to the NCAA Baseball Tournament, receiving a No. I didn't know what was going on. We love you so much, @andrea_aquino6. "It's amazing because any program could just say you know what, you're not playing right now and we would like to use your scholarship on someone else.". Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Marc A Christman's social profiles . Yeah, I didnt believe him, Aquino shared a few weeks back. When Aquino joined Ribet for fall league ahead of the 2017-18 season, teams in the area wondered where this player, who was draining shot after shot and whose arms nearly touched the net when she stretched them into the air, had come from. Current And Future OSU Football Schedules. In this week's ranking index, the gap was closed, with the Razorbacks holding a 181.09-164.23 edge. Every athlete has to realize that basketball, or whatever their sport, is going to come to an end sometime. She had to walk through the house, through rooms filled with strangers, to bathe upstairs. Nowadays, Aquino almost lives a double life: trying to make a name for herself here, thinking of her mother there. Not only that, she was thousands of miles from her family. It was Aquino's first appearance. The Beavers opened practice on Oct. 14 and Rueck, who was unable to hold summer scrimmages and a normal array of live workouts because of the coronavirus crisis, said he and his staff are still evaluating the makeup of his team and juggling lineup combinations. That goes for Oregon State coach Scott Rueck, too. But before she arrived on campus she suffered a knee injury. "But he never did anything about it.". Kids bullied her at school, on the street. She got caught in the short rope a few times, alternating her feet. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Aquino would think of her mother making her favorite dishes back home: fish soup and sopa Paraguaya, similar to cornbread. 1323 Waterstone Pl San Ramon CA. Not to give an interview to anyone. Because Aquino and Rueck have been reluctant to talk about her status for most of her career, fans have held onto hope that she might someday play. FILTER BY TEAM (S) Select Team (s) FILTER BY ATHLETE (S) Select Athlete (s) If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. She had her own bathroom, but it didn't have a shower. "Keep going!" Believed He had to have some higher purpose. But as the Oregon State Beavers assembled last month for their first practice, with two transfers and three freshmen forming a new-look roster, there was a soothing and familiar feeling hovering over all the uncertainty amid a year unlike any other. A Paraguayan American man, who was from Paterson but had family in Paraguay, saw the video and reached out to Aquino. Michael has 16 different addresses, the . "It hurts to see how hard your mom works. The players here are family, and supportive to me during the hard times Ive been through, Aquino said. It was the lifeline she needed in so many ways.