Here is your article greybeav:
By Nick Daschel | The Oregonian/OregonLive
CORVALLIS — It’s a ritual that takes place throughout the country for the season’s final home college basketball game: Senior Day.
That day comes Sunday for Oregon State women’s basketball, as they’ll honor six seniors before tipoff against California. Among them is a bona fide star, forward Taya Corosdale, who has 101 career starts. There are several graduate transfers who left an impact on a couple programs during their career.
But the senior who may receive the loudest cheer hasn’t played one second of college basketball. Andrea Aquino, the highest rated recruit in OSU history, is among Sunday’s honorees.
“It’s going to be a very emotional day,” Aquino said.
The 6-foot-9 Aquino is a fan favorite, for what she might have become, and what she does.
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. OSU’s program didn’t turn its back on Aquino, and she’s been on scholarship for four years. She’s as much a part of the team as any starter. Aquino, known as ‘Dre throughout the program, doesn’t miss a practice or a game, fulfilling her role as support.
“I can’t even imagine how hard it must be for her. She is one of the most positive people I’ve ever met. We’re so lucky to have her on this team,” said senior forward Ellie Mack.
This isn’t what Aquino expected. A native of Paraguay, Aquino moved to the United States as a high school freshman. Her basketball asset was height and athleticism, but not much experience. During the course of high school — three years in New Jersey, one in California — Aquino blossomed into one of the country’s top recruits. She was going to be the next big thing for an Oregon State program rapidly rising among women’s college basketball’s elite.
But a medical condition kept Aquino from fulfilling that promise. Early on, there was some hope her status might change, but it became apparent by Aquino’s sophomore year that she wasn’t going to play basketball.
Years later, Aquino says she still occasionally struggles coming to peace with it.
“Basketball has been a big part of my life. It’s going to be tough,” she said. “Every athlete has to realize that basketball, or whatever their sport, is going to come to an end sometime. But for me it just happened a little too soon.
“I’m grateful for that. Because I’ve learned about myself and who I am outside of basketball and the things I’m capable of doing.”
Aquino threw herself into school and the Beavers. She’s getting a degree this spring, and hopes to continue in basketball by landing a graduate assistant coaching position at a school. Aquino is an important teammate from a support standpoint. She calls it “being a friend to them whenever they need it.” The country’s tallest women’s basketball towel waver during games, Aquino constantly looks for ways to pump up teammates.
“She’s gives me so much confidence,” Mack said. “I feel like she believes in me. Whenever I make a basket or something, she’s the first person to kind of congratulate me or hype me up. … It’s part of the reason I think I’ve been playing a little better is because of ‘Dre.”
That goes for Oregon State coach Scott Rueck, too.
“She comes off the court the other night before warm-ups and she has the presence right before tip to say ‘Nice suit, coach. Looking good,’” Rueck said. “She has this way of understanding you.”
Rueck summed up Aquino’s impact on his team in one word: inspiration. Because everyone on OSU’s roster knows Aquino’s situation, she provides hope with her upbeat attitude.
“When something in your life gets taken away that’s 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. In Andrea’s case, she’s done the opposite,” Rueck said. “She’s been a productive member who gives every day … she’s speaking straight into people’s souls.”
It’s not lost on Aquino that Oregon State kept her on scholarship even though she can’t play. Aquino says she’s “grateful” for the unusual gesture. Aquino is proud to say she’s only the second person in her family to get a college degree.
Rueck saw it as the right thing to do.
“It seemed like a no brainer,” he said. “I’m so thankful that our administration has supported that decision to keep her from day one.”
Another option for Aquino was transferring to another school and see if she could get cleared to play. It wasn’t much of an option to Aquino because she had become attracted to Oregon State.
“The players here are family, and supportive to me during the hard times I’ve been through,” Aquino said. “I couldn’t leave this place because I came here for a reason.”
Said Rueck: “From the (recruiting) visit on, it’s been a great fit. And I think she knew that. We talk about family and she’s the definition of it for us, sticking with somebody through hard times.”
Part of Aquino’s popularity with fans is curiosity, primarily, are you going to play? 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.
“They’re very supportive. They see me on the street and ask ‘How are you doing?’” Aquino said. “I really appreciate all of them. I get very excited when it’s game day because whenever we need them, they’re so loud.”
As for Senior Day, Aquino’s family will not be in attendance Sunday, as it’s an expensive trip from Paraguay. Instead, she’ll be accompanied by Vivi and Steve Hatcher of Hillsboro, a couple she met early in her career.
There is the possibility of a Sunday surprise, though Rueck is being coy. Aquino could find herself in Sunday’s box score, perhaps as the center on the opening tipoff, or an inbound pass.
“There has been some discussion of that. That would be awesome,” Rueck said.
Aquino hasn’t worn a uniform at an Oregon State game since her freshman year, but she’d be willing in this instance.
“That would be a little nervous for me, but it would be nice,” Aquino said.
-- Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel
