Colorado women's basketball in recent years has been characterized by stability and continuity. The Buffs' starting lineup, led by fifth-year seniors Jaylin Sherrod and Quay Miller, has made nearly 500 career starts.
Sherrod and Miller are gone, as are Aaronette Vonleh, Maddie Nolan, Tameiya Sadler and Charlotte Whittaker. The only rotation players returning are longtime starter Freida Forman, Missouri transfer Sarah Rose Smith and Colorado native Kyndyl Wetta.
J.R. Payne had to replace almost his entire roster. She is leaning heavily into her transfer portal, where she has made six transfers, including two this week. In addition to this, there are freshmen, most notably Tabitha Betson, and redshirt freshman Kennedy Sanders, who is expected to contribute.
JR replaced Quay Miller with Lior Garzon, a 6-foot-1 forward from Oklahoma State University. She found two post players in Jade Masogayo (Missouri State) and Jojo Nwolee (Texas Tech). She strengthened her backcourt with a pair of 3-and-D wings in Naimah Diu (Iowa State) and Joanna Tedder (Washington State). She also added Arianna Johnson from Minnesota, but the 6-foot-3 forward is more of a project than an immediate force.
There are a lot of names you don't know, but you'll remember them quickly. (Reading Brian Howell's article on BuffZone helps.) The Buffs hope to be competitive in their first season in the Big 12. Rather than rebuilding, Payne opted to fill in with a number of veteran players. There are obviously questions about how everyone will play together, and even more questions about who will be healthy, especially since Nwolee and Tedder have struggled with injuries.
The Buffs have up to 14 scholarship players and could add one more. It's still unclear how the roster will change in terms of playing time and role, but Payne will be available for play in the preseason and early in the 2024-25 season.
It's also worth noting that the Buffs have up to eight international players, as you can see the full roster below.
G — Frida Forman, Gr. (Denmark)
G — Sarah Rose Smith, Gr. (Australia/Michigan)
F — Nyamah Dew, Gr. (Iowa)
F — Lior Garzon, Gr. (Israel/Oklahoma)
G — Joanna Tedder, Gr. (Estonia/Washington State)
G — Kindil Wetta Sr.
C — Jojo Nworyi, r-Jr. (Nigeria/Texas Tech University)
F — Jade Masagayo Jr. (Missouri)
F — Ayana Johnson, yes. (Minnesota)
G — Kennedy Sanders, r-Fr.
F — Father Tabatha Betson (Australia)
G — Father Rova Lagerlid (Sweden)
F — Father Grace Oliver
G — Father Erin Powell (UK)