Pirate Preview: Mariana Valenzuela

Published: Tuesday, September 23, 2025

by Victor Lisboa

The Seton Hall Pirates have had some outstanding play from upperclassmen within the last handful of seasons. Azana Baines is among the most notable, who transferred from Virginia Tech in 2022.Faith Masonius is the most recent example, as she transferred from Maryland and was a star as a fifth year senior last season. 

This year, the Pirates took advantage of the portal once again when they acquired Mariana Valenzuela from the Florida State Seminoles. 
 
Valenzuela is a forward from Mexico, who was named to the Mexican National Team last Summer. Prior to her collegiate career, she went to Monteverde Academy where she was rated 95th overall and the 18th best forward in the 2021 class.

She began her collegiate career with the Seminoles in 2021 where she became a shooting threat off of the bench. Valenzuela missed the 2023-24 season with a knee injury but returned last season. Her production dipped a bit after returning from the injury, but she still averaged 3.5 points per game while shooting at a 32% rate from three-point range.
 
Throughout the entirety of her collegiate career, she has shot 44% from beyond the arc. As a team last season, the Pirates shot just 27.8% in that area. If Valenzuela can help malnourish this area for the Pirates this season, her presence could prove to be critical.
 
In 2019, Valenzuela won a championship with Mexico’s national team in the COCABA division of FIBA. Her standout performance secured her the MVP award as well, after notching a double-double with 16 points and 20 rebounds. 

Valenzuela committed to Seton Hall back in April. After appearing in three NCAA tournament appearances, the Pirates may need her often this season, and her experience could be crucial. Valenzuela is in line to make her debut when the Pirates open their season, hosting the Saint Peter’s Peacocks on November 7.

Victor Lisboa can be reached at victor.lisboa@student.shu.edu 

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