Meet USU’s star forward Adryana Quezada
Seven of Utah State Women’s Basketball’s biggest fans live in Frisco, Texas. Their favorite player? Their older sister, No. 32, Adryana Quezada.
In her first year at Utah State, Quezada, a junior forward, has become one of the most formidable players in the Mountain West. A double-double machine, she leads the Aggies in points per game (14.4) and rebounds per game (8.1).
Quezada transferred to Utah State from the University of Texas-San Antonio after an injury-plagued career began to take a toll on her love for the game. The change is just what she needed to bring the joy of basketball back.
But the Feb. 14 Mountain West Women’s Basketball Player of the Week isn’t just great at hoops. She’s a role model for her seven younger siblings, a beloved granddaughter and an aspiring video game designer.
A birthright of the oldest child, Quezada spent most of her free time in Frisco caring for her siblings. Whether she was dragging her siblings to her summer tournaments or her games at her alma mater, Lone Star Frisco High School, Quezada’s siblings grew up watching her play.
Now, from 1,298 miles away, Quezada’s family continues to cheer her on. When she plays, chants of, “Go, Adry, go!” can be heard throughout the Quezada home. The cheer originates from her little brother, Xzar.
“He can’t say my name so he says ‘Adry,’” Quezada said. “I’m not gonna lie, it’s pretty cute.”
Xzar, who was born with special needs, shares an incredible bond with Quezada. He is her biggest fan and inspiration.
“I know I’m not supposed to have a favorite (sibling) but he’s my favorite,” Quezada said. “He’s honestly the reason I do everything.”
To Quezada, family means everything. It was her grandparents who taught her the importance of family. She spent countless hours in their care while her dad worked. They attended every one of her high school games and their support never wavered.
At Quezada’s games, you can spot her wearing a golden cross necklace. Her grandfather, a jewelry maker, crafted it for her. The chain is a constant reminder of the sacrifices her grandparents have made for her.
“I have them to thank for everything,” she said.
Now a junior at Utah State, she is having a season that would make her grandparents, and the rest of her family proud.
After going on a nine-game losing streak, Utah State has won four of their past ten conference games. It’s a huge step for the program. The Aggies won just two conference games total last season.
A major catalyst to the increased competitiveness has been Quezada. In their three conference wins, she is averaging roughly 19 points per game, 20 rebounds and 3 assists.
With Quezada’s nightly heroics on the basketball court, it’s easy to forget that she, like most college students, loves her downtime.
“I will stay in bed all day,” she said. “I’ll grab some Mickey D’s then I’ll go back to bed. Outside of basketball, I’m the laziest person ever. ”
Whenever she’s back at her dorm, Quezada also enjoys perfecting her marksmanship in the video game Call of Duty. She and teammate Shyla Latone often join forces online.
But Quezada isn’t your typical gamer. She has an innate appreciation for the art of video game design. She hopes her major, integrated studies with an emphasis in design, can land her a career in the video game business post-graduation.
“I’m very into gaming and Marvel. Not even just video to design my own characters.”
If she doesn’t pursue game design, Quezada hopes to take her basketball talents overseas. Quezada spent her entire childhood and adolescence in Texas. She wants to explore life abroad.
“I’ve always wanted to live outside of the United States. (I’ll play) anywhere that’s not in the United States,” she said.
For now, she’s more than happy to play for the Aggies. Utah State wasn’t on Quezada’s radar until coach Kayla Ard reached out to her last year.
“I had never heard of (Utah State) before,” she said. “Coach sent me an email, and I just searched them up.”
Besides the stark climatic difference, which Quezada claims she’ll never get used to, Logan already feels like home. She said it was her teammates that made her adjustment so smooth.
“I’ve never gotten along with a team, not even in high school, better than I do here. (My teammates) really brought me here,” Quezada said.
From individualized handshakes to post-game dinners at Takara Sushi, Quezada has forged personal traditions with all of her teammates. But there’s one teammate in particular who Quezada looks up to in basketball and life: team captain Emmie Harris.
“On and off the court, she’s a great leader. You just know she’s always going to have your back. She’s your number one fan,” Quezada said.
It’s clear Harris possesses the same admiration for Quezada. She was eager to boast about her forward’s play.
“She’s a great one on one player,” Harris said. “I look for her a lot as a point guard. She’s strong-bodied and holds it down for us in the post.”
Harris insists that it isn’t just Quezada’s basketball skills that make her such an amazing teammate. It’s her charming personality and sense of humor that make her such an asset to the Aggies.
“One of my favorite things about (Quezada) is that she’s always herself,” Harris said.
An excellent example of Quezada’s lovable personality came just a few weeks ago when she purchased a pair of Heelys.
“The fact that she got Heelys in the middle of the season made me laugh,” Harris said. “She doesn’t care what anybody thinks. I just love her.”
Quezada is looking forward to teaming up with Harris and the rest of her team at the upcoming Mountain West Women’s Basketball Championships in Las Vegas.
The tournament, which runs March 6-9, will be Quezada’s first post-season tournament of her collegiate career.
“I just wanna come out with some wins,” she said.
But no matter her record, Adryana Quezada knows she will always have a loving support system of teammates, friends and family rooting for her.