JJ Quinerly, one of the most dynamic players to ever wear the West Virginia University women’s basketball uniform, is taking the next step in her basketball journey. On Monday night, the Dallas Wings selected Quinerly with the 27th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 WNBA Draft, launching what promises to be an exciting professional career. Read more a West Virginia great takes her game to the WNBA: Quinerly drafted to Dallas Wings below.
For Quinerly, the moment is the culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and elite play on both ends of the court. For West Virginia, it’s the celebration of a generational talent who leaves behind a historic career in Morgantown.
A Historic Career at WVU
Arriving in Morgantown in 2021 from Norfolk, Virginia, Quinerly wasted no time establishing herself as a key contributor. From the start, her quickness, defensive tenacity, and scoring ability stood out. She earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team in 2022, signifying the beginning of a special career.
Over the next three seasons, she only elevated her game, turning into one of the most complete guards in the nation. By the time her senior season wrapped up, Quinerly had inked her name throughout the WVU record books. She finished with 2,016 career points, making her just the third player in program history to surpass the 2,000-point milestone. But what truly sets her apart is her versatility and impact across every statistical category.
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She currently ranks third all-time in scoring at WVU and fifth in career scoring average (16.0 points per game). During her 2024–25 senior campaign, she averaged 20.38 points per game, marking just the fifth time a Mountaineer had averaged at least 20 points in a season—and the first time it had been done since 1992.
Quinerly also leaves as one of the most decorated players in recent conference history. She was named: Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in both 2024 and 2025, First-Team All-Big 12 three straight seasons (2023, 2024, 2025), Big 12 All-Defensive Team from 2023 to 2025, and Big 12 All-Tournament Team in 2025.
These honors reflect not only her individual talent but her consistency and growth throughout her collegiate career. She brought intensity and leadership to every game and was the heart and soul of WVU’s lineup.
A Leader on and off the Court
Beyond the stat sheets and accolades, Quinerly’s legacy at WVU is defined by her leadership and competitive spirit. She was the type of player who could change the course of a game with a steal, a clutch basket, or a defensive stop. Coaches, teammates, and fans admired her relentless motor and ability to step up in big moments.
Her impact extended beyond game days. Quinerly was a vocal leader in the locker room and a role model in the community. Whether it was mentoring younger teammates or engaging with fans, she consistently represented the Mountaineer brand with pride and humility.
Taking Her Talents to Dallas
Now, she takes that same energy and skill set to the WNBA, joining a Dallas Wings roster loaded with young talent and competitive fire. The Wings, who finished the 2024 season with a playoff run, add a guard who brings elite defense, playmaking, and scoring—all in one package.
Quinerly’s versatility should translate well to the professional game. Her ability to guard multiple positions, create her own shot, and thrive in transition fits perfectly with the fast-paced, positionless style of today’s WNBA. Her instincts on defense—highlighted by an average of 3.0 steals per game—make her a valuable asset in any system.
With this draft selection, Quinerly becomes the 11th player in West Virginia women’s basketball history to be drafted into the WNBA, and the first since 2021 when Kysre Gondrezick was taken fourth overall by the Indiana Fever.
A Mountaineer Forever
As Quinerly moves on to the next level, she leaves behind a program that’s better because of her presence. She brought excitement, excellence, and passion to WVU basketball and inspired the next generation of Mountaineers along the way.
Her story—from freshman standout to program legend to WNBA draftee—is one of talent meeting work ethic, and potential turned into legacy.
Now, she carries that legacy to Dallas, where her professional chapter begins. And no matter where her WNBA journey takes her, she’ll always be a Mountaineer.
