DISTRCT HEIGHTS, Md. – Bianca Cuevas has played at an elite level this summer, one almost worthy of a cape, mask and cool nickname.
“They think I’m a superhero,” The Bronx native joked. “Everyone expects a lot from me.”
Though she expects plenty from herself as well, the summer has been different. The Nazareth rising junior guard can dominate a game on both ends of the floor on most nights. It isn’t something she likes to do, preferring to get teammates going as well, but she is getting use to taking over games when needed for an Exodus NYC team that isn’t quite as loaded as in years past.
Cuevas dropped 51 points and sank seven 3-pointers in Exodus’ eight-point loss to FBG (Florida Girl’s Basketball) at the Battle in the Boro in July 13. She combined for 63 points in two games on the opening day of the USJN/Nike National Championships at the Capital Sports Complex on Sunday.
“I’ve watched her for a long time and not much she does amazes me, but the 51 points amazed me,” Nazareth and Exodus coach Lauren Best said.
It’s performances like that which have the 5-foot-6 Cuevas ranked among the top players in the class of 2014. An All-City first team selection by The Post, she is slotted as the No. 8 prospect in the country, and third at the point guard position by HoopGurlz. She has drawn interest from a host of Division I schools, such as Kentucky, Syracuse, Miami, South Florida, Florida State and Nebraska.
“I’m sure more are going to call,” Best said. “She can probably get whatever she wants. It’s starting to pick up now. It’s becoming a reality. Before it seemed so far away. Time is getting real short now.”
It’s a different type of summer for Cuevas in many respects. She is “the big dog” now, Best said. Cuevas began playing with Exodus NYC and then coach Apache Paschall in the sixth grade, behind established stars like Bria Hartley, Jennifer O’Neill, Taylor Ford, Janine Davis and Brianna Butler.
Many people came to watch the young star from M.S. 22 show flashes of greatness against older competition. Cuevas was the youngest player in program history competing against the nation’s top teams. She joined the ranks of Shannon Bobbitt, Kia Vaughn and Anjale Barrett to do so before entering high school
“Every kid I’ve done it with has turned out to be a superstar,” Paschall said of Cuevas at the time.
Now she is the club’s leader and face of the program. She tries not to think of the extra pressure, but her extra motivation — Paschall — is not on the sideline. He died of a heart attack back on Jan. 3. Cuevas, who was like a daughter to him, misses his presence.
“I used to be hyped for playing with him,” she said. “Now I just go to the end of the bench and no one will say anything to me. … Apache used to go crazy and then he would give us two hour speeches after the game.”
Her life and career has moved on without him, now two years away from college after five years on the elite travel ball circuit.
“It’s amazing watching her grow up,” Best said… “Now she is 16 years old. She is actually a veteran and she is only going to be a junior.”