NCAAW: JJ Quinerly’s defense makes her a guard to watch for WNBA Draft

The West Virginia Mountaineers (13-3; 3-2 Big 12) have been making noise since the hiring of former Stephen F. Austin head coach Mark Kellogg in 2023. The Mountaineers won their first 13 games in Kellogg’s debut season, fueled by a defense-first identity—an identity spearheaded by guard Ja’Naiya “JJ” Quinerly.

The reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Quinerly may be soft-spoken off the court, but on it, she’s one of the country’s fiercest competitors. She defines West Virginia’s physical presence on both ends of the floor, leading the team in scoring with frequent, crafty takes to the hoop while hounding opponents in the Mountaineers’ signature fullcourt press.

For all her recent accomplishments and honors, Quinerly hasn’t been mentioned quite as often as other star guards when it comes to the 2025 WNBA Draft. There’s still plenty of time between now and then, though, for the Mountaineers to play their way into the conversation, especially with last season’s top two teams in the Big 12, Oklahoma and Texas, now part of the SEC. Let’s take a look at what makes Quinerly a draft-worthy player.

Honors and statistics

As a freshman at West Virginia, Quinerly immediately flashed the defensive prowess that she’d quickly become known for, leading…