The University of Colorado womens basketball team reacts during the game against Oregon State University on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
Editors Note: A previous version of this story misspelled the name of University of Colorado Boulder basketball player Tabitha Betson. It has since been corrected.
The University of Colorado Women’s Basketball team is entering a season full of unknowns, coming off three of the program’s most successful years. Head Coach JR Payne has guided the program to three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including two Sweet Sixteen runs in 2023 and 2024, both ending against the Iowa Hawkeyes and Caitlin Clark.
The Buffaloes return to the Big 12, in what is expected to be a strong year for the conference, featuring four teams ranked in the preseason top 25. Colorado is ranked ninth in the Big 12 preseason poll, just behind former Pac-12 rivals Utah and Arizona.
A new-look roster will hit the floor for the Buffaloes this season, with 10 players added following the graduation and transfer of key players. Capitalizing on the transfer portal, six of the team’s newcomers are transfers, bringing valuable experience to the squad. Four freshmen will also begin their careers in Boulder this season, three of whom are international. Freshman Tabitha Betson has been named the Big 12 preseason freshman of the year, setting the stage for a promising first year for the forward from Melbourne, Australia.
The influx of both experience and youth is expected to help the Buffaloes continue their trend of winning basketball in Boulder. Coach JR Payne expressed her enthusiasm for the new squad.
“I can promise you that it’s a group you’re going to love to watch. We have better depth than we’ve ever had. We’re very long, longer than we’ve ever been. We’re a very experienced group – not necessarily experienced here at Colorado, but experienced overall. We’re excited to get underway,” Payne said.
The conclusion of last year’s season left this year’s team with big shoes to fill. Star point guard Jaylyn Sharod graduated and recently won a WNBA Championship with the New York Liberty, while star center Aaronette Vonleh transferred to conference foe Baylor. These impact players are among the thirteen missing from last year’s roster.
A few key returners will be looked upon to carry a significant production load, while past success at their previous schools creates high expectations for some of the new Buffaloes. Freida Formann is the all-time leading three-point scorer in CU history, including both men’s and women’s, with 260 career three-pointers. She tied the single-season record for three-pointers with 82 last season. Her ability to score beyond the arc and her efficiency at the free-throw line (90% shooter over the last two seasons) will be invaluable to the Buffs. Kindyll Wetta will be expected to fill the point guard position left vacant by Sharod. The senior, known for her defensive focus, has averaged nearly two steals and three assists per game over her three-year career at Colorado. She acknowledged the offensive responsibility that will fall on her this season.
“Alongside being more of a vocal leader, I’m focusing on the offensive side of the game a lot more. I’ve always been very defense-minded, but this year, with so many veterans gone, I’ll definitely be contributing more on the offensive side,” Wetta said.
Another player stepping into a leadership role is Lior Garzan, a graduate student from Ra’anana, Israel. She transferred from Oklahoma State during the offseason, spending two years with the Cowboys after playing her freshman and sophomore seasons at Villanova. Garzan set the Oklahoma State single-season record for three-pointers with 80 made in 2023. She has valuable insights to share with the Buffaloes upon their return to the Big 12 but recognizes her need to learn Colorado’s system.
“We work very hard every day; we don’t waste any time. Especially with so many newcomers, I need to learn the system. I’ve been in the Big 12, but I’ve only been at Colorado for three months. I don’t have time to waste, so I need to be ready every day,” Garzan said.
The start of the season will serve as an introduction to the team before Big 12 Conference play begins. While there may be some kinks to work out as the team grows comfortable on the court, the Buffs had an opportunity to hit the ground running in an exhibition game against Colorado School of Mines. The matchup, played at the CU Events Center this past Sunday, ended in a 91-46 victory. All 12 players dressed for the game saw action, with Garzan leading the way with 18 points. She expressed her excitement about playing in Boulder for the first time.
“It feels right. It feels like I’m supposed to be here. It’s a family atmosphere. I told Coach that I was very excited and nervous. Putting this [Colorado] jersey on my chest meant a lot to me today,” Garzan said.
Coach JR Payne left the preseason matchup feeling optimistic about the team chemistry.
“The chemistry will continue to develop. I thought it was really good. We have a very unselfish group that likes to share the ball. There will be times we make the extra pass, and it’s going to be pretty basketball,” Payne said.
The story of the 2024-25 Colorado women’s basketball team is still being written, but the excitement and promise expressed by the players and coaches are encouraging signs. The Buffaloes begin their season in Laramie, Wyoming, on Nov. 4 against the University of Wyoming. They will then return to the Events Center for their home opener against the Northern Colorado Bears, which will be streamed on ESPN+ via the Big 12’s media deal. Expect experienced coaching and a core of veteran players to lead the Buffaloes toward a hopeful return to the Big 12.
Contact CU Independent staff writer wilson.georges@colorado.edu
