Kent State Of Mind: Bianca Juzzo
2/27/2026 10:27:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Kent State women's basketball graduate student Bianca Juzzo joined Andrea Filote for the Kent State of Mind Series to discuss her journey to Kent State and how her decision to become a Golden Flash has changed her life.
Read the Interview
AF: Hey. Flash family, I'm Andrea Filote, and joining me today is Bianca Juzzo on Kent State of Mind.
AF: So you're originally from Brazil. What sparked your interest all the way out here at Kent State when you're looking for schools?
BJ: I wanted to find a place that I felt like home, just like, New Mexico. I knew it wouldn't be the same because of the weather and everything. But, President Diacon speaking Portuguese definitely made my eyes bright. I felt, like, connected and all the teammates too, the way they treated each other, and my visit was very cool.
AF: So you mentioned that Kent State really felt like home. Outside of that, what were some of your first time experiences that you had here that made you think, oh yeah, this is the place for me?
BJ: I think the way they embraced me for being an outsider, I would say. They were very curious about my culture and the past experience that I had. Here I was able to go to Greece in 2023. And it was a life changing experience, was the best time of my life, and I will cherish forever.
AF: If you could explain your experience here at state in one word, what would it be?
BJ: It would be a life changing. That's two words, but...
AF: So looking at everything you've experienced here, how is that shaping what you want to do next in life?
BJ: I feel like being here, I was able to find myself, kind of recognize myself and doing what I love to do, which is being in a sport. I just feel like I have so many opportunities now and a life full of experience to carry that on.
AF: You've told me a lot about your internship opportunities that you've done here. I know you've done things in the weight room, now with facilities. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
BJ: Yeah, so I work in the strength and conditioning with Bob, which is my strength and conditioning coach, and I was able to see the other side of an athlete or the coaching wise thing. I was able to be with different sports, know what they do, what they have to do, for their sport specifically because it's different than basketball. And with facilities, I am able to work with David. So I know basically everything that goes on in game day operations and goes from mopping the floor to prepare the locker rooms for the visiting team and I think it's pretty cool. And all this, things that it goes on in the backstage.
AF: Being an international student is obviously pretty hard. You know, you're far away from home. You're not really around family all the time. How does the team help you adjust to that?
BJ: I think from day to day experiences. We practice together. We share meals together, most of the time. We travel together. We talk about everything, and I feel like it's family because they care about me and I care about them as well. And I will always do.
AF: All right, well, that wraps up our Kent State of Mind. Thank you for joining us today, Bianca. Thank you. Go. Flashes!
