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'25-'26 WBB Thread (Recruiting, General News, Etc.)

MarkW

Well-Known Member
Time to start a thread related to WBB recruiting, general news, etc.

At some point I'll create a chart that shows all the comings and goings.

In the short term, here are links to articles from the BDC's Brian Howell on JR's portal thoughts, etc. -

Women’s basketball: Solid group of returners could lead rebuilt CU Buffs in 2025-26 ​

I don't share Howell's optimism on returnees. They really need to add a lot of talent to have a shot at the NCAA tourney.

Women’s basketball: Roster overhaul underway for CU Buffs​

JR states they are pretty much only going after guards in the portal as the incoming class and returnees have a lot forwards.
 
Ms. O'Connor has been formally announced as a Buff.

OFFICIAL welcome and congrats to her!




Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/4/21/womens-basketball-buffs-add-gonzaga-transfer

"

Buffs Add Gonzaga Transfer​

Claire O’Connor joins Colorado for 2025-26

By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications

BOULDER – Head coach JR Payne added to Colorado's shooting prowess on Friday, announcing the addition of former Gonzaga guard Claire O'Connor.

O'Connor spent the last two seasons in Spokane, averaging 4.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 64 career games. She has two years of eligibility remaining.

"We are very excited to have Claire joining our squad next season," Payne expressed. "Claire brings a tremendous amount of experience with one of the winningest programs in the country. She can flat-out shoot it and is a great rebounder from the guard spot. Her love for the game is evident in the time she pours into her craft."

The Bellevue, Wash., native started 29 of the 34 games she played in last season. She had a career-high 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including four 3-pointers in the Zags' 81-53 win at Pepperdine. O'Connor recorded 10 or more points on 10 occasions last season, averaging 7.7 points per game.

O'Connor had her first career double-double with a 19-point, 10-rebound performance against Rice. She had five or more rebounds in eight games last season.

Last season, O'Connor shot 41.7% from the field and 40.8% from 3-point range. She totaled 261 points and hit 49 shots from long range. The 6-foot guard also snagged a career-best 118 rebounds and handed out 42 total assists.

O'Connor was a West Coast Conference All-Academic selection, as well as a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree in 2024-25.
...
"
 
And it looks like the team has its 2nd transfer commit. She is 5'11" G Zyanna Walker, who'll be coming to Boulder from conference-mate KSU. Like Ms. O'Connor, she's listed as a sophomore, so hopefully the Buffs will have her talents for a couple years. She averaged 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while starting in all 36 of KSU's games this past season. Per the KSU roster page linked to below, she was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team (the only underclassman named to the team), so must also be great on that side of the court.

Welcome and congrats to her!




Her KSU roster page - https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/zyanna-walker/11859

Her ESPN page with season stats, etc.) - https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4565512/zyanna-walker
 
AztecBuff said:
And it looks like the team has its 2nd transfer commit. She is 5'11" G Zyanna Walker, who'll be coming to Boulder from conference-mate KSU. Like Ms. O'Connor, she's listed as a sophomore, so hopefully the Buffs will have her talents for a couple years. She averaged 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while starting in all 36 of KSU's games this past season. Per the KSU roster page linked to below, she was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team (the only underclassman named to the team), so must also be great on that side of the court.

Welcome and congrats to her!




Her KSU roster page - https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/zyanna-walker/11859

Her ESPN page with season stats, etc.) - https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4565512/zyanna-walker
Click to expand...

I'll take an all-conference defensive player any time we can get em. Go Buffs
 
Brian Howell said they were not going to go after post players too much as they like who they have and who is coming in. I am not sure I feel the same. I also wonder if people think they need to find a scorer. Seems like there are many games the buffs struggle to score 70. I think they need to have more offense to score more consistently and not have long droughts of awful offense
 
JR commented on X that O'Connor is a shooter. We definitely need more offense. I don't think the offense ever jelled into a system last season. Some, but not all of that, was due to injuries.

We are badly outsized in the middle. We can't stop a player like Audi Crooks.

Hopefully these players can hit free throws.
 
I did notice on X that K State fans were not happy with losing Walker and some said some not very nice things to her. I hope she didn't read them.

I don't like it when players transfer but I will not troll them on SM
 
Just a calendar note - per a social media post by heavy WBB media contributor Talia Goodman, today is the last day this season*** WBB players can put their names in the transfer portal.

(I was curious, and did find http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/Transfer/DIUG_Windows.pdf that corraborates what she wrote. Note that it lists the dates for ALL NCAA sports, which helps me out a lot since I was curious about the Olympic sports.

***Per another source ( https://www.si.com/college/purdue/b...beginning the day after the coach's departure.) , there is one exception to the various dates listed where, if there's a coaching change, there is a 30 day window after the coach leaves where team members may put their names in the portal irregardless of the date. (Looks like this exception may be applicable for ALL sports.?.)

The above link also says "Additionally, student-athletes who will be graduate transfers can enter the transfer portal at any point during the academic calendar year, but must be entered by the final day of the transfer window.")
 
Talia Goodman has made the distinction on coaching changes and grad students.

She also said over 1500 athletes have entered the portal. That was before midnight last night and she said some athletes may not have announced they were in the portal by yesterday.
 
AztecBuff said:
And it looks like the team has its 2nd transfer commit. She is 5'11" G Zyanna Walker, who'll be coming to Boulder from conference-mate KSU. Like Ms. O'Connor, she's listed as a sophomore, so hopefully the Buffs will have her talents for a couple years. She averaged 8.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while starting in all 36 of KSU's games this past season. Per the KSU roster page linked to below, she was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team (the only underclassman named to the team), so must also be great on that side of the court.

Welcome and congrats to her!




Her KSU roster page - https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/zyanna-walker/11859

Her ESPN page with season stats, etc.) - https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/player/_/id/4565512/zyanna-walker
Click to expand...


Can now OFFICIALLY welcome Ms. Walker!




"
...

By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications

BOULDER – Colorado women's basketball landed its second player out of the transfer portal in Zyanna Walker on Wednesday.

Walker played the last two seasons at Kansas State, averaging 7.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 70 career games. She has two years of eligibility remaining.

"We couldn't be more excited to have Zy joining our Buff family," head coach JR Payne exclaimed. "She is a fierce competitor who will bring both experience and toughness to our backcourt. I have loved watching Zy compete these past couple of years and can't wait to have her in the Black & Gold this season."

The Wichita, Kan., native started all 36 games for the Wildcats last season. She was a Big 12 All-Defensive Team selection last season, totaling 58 steals and 25 blocks. Walker dished out 122 assists and closed the year eighth in the Big 12 with a 1.88 assist-turnover ratio.

Walker had two games of 10 points, five rebounds and five assists last season, including a near triple-double with 13 points, nine rebounds and nine assists against Milwaukee. The 5-11 guard tallied a career-high 17 points at Texas A&M and hit double-figure scoring totals in 12 games.

Last season, Walker shot 40.2% from the field and is a 41.5% career-shooter. She's totaled 525 career points and 265 career rebounds.

As a redshirt freshman, Walker played in 34 total games, shooting 43.3% from the floor and handing out 1.4 assists per game. Walker began her career at Louisville in 2022-23, but played just five games before moving to KSU.

Walker was rated a four-star prospect and No. 15 in the nation out of Wichita Heights High School by Prep Girls Hoops. She was rated No. 38 overall and the No. 8 guard in the class of 2002 by ESPNW HoopGurlz and was the 2022 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year. Walker averaged 25.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 5.1 steals in the 2021-22 season and was an All-State and All-Metro selection in her sophomore and senior seasons.
"
 
From Coach Payne including the below posts in her Instagram stories, looks like the Buffs continue to strengthen their back court with transfers.

Welcome and congrats to Ms's. McErlane and Wooten!







A little more on each:

  • Maeve McErlane, who originally hails from Philly, is a 5'10" G coming to Boulder after spending 3 years at DePaul University in Chicago. She's listed as a junior in their roster this past season, but I'd GUESS she may have 2 years of eligibility left as she doesn't show up in DePaul's stats at all this past season. (She started 25 of 31 of her team's games her sophomore (2023/24) season where she averaged 4.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.)
Her Depaul roster page - https://depaulbluedemons.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/maeve-mcerlane/3836

  • Dallas native Desiree Wooten, a 5'8" G, will I assume be a redshirt junior next season after spending her 1st 3 years at the Univ. of North Texas in Denton. (Her UNT roster page says she missed her full true frosh season due to injury.) This past season, she earned 2nd team all-conference (AAC) honors and was named to the AAC All-Defensive team while starting all 33 of her team's games and averaging 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
Her No. Texas roster page - https://meangreensports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/desiree-wooten/6764
 
Over the last 2 days, the team formally announced the signings of the 2 commits I noted in the last post.

OFFICIAL welcome and congrats to them!



Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/5/1/womens-basketball-buffs-land-north-texas-transfer

"

Buffs Land North Texas Transfer​

Desiree Wooten becomes CU’s third transfer portal commit

By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications

BOULDER – Former North Texas guard Desiree Wooten has selected Colorado as her new home for the next two seasons, joining head coach JR Payne and the Colorado Buffaloes on Thursday.

Wooten is CU's third transfer portal commit this offseason, joining Zyanna Walker and Claire O'Connor.

The 5-8 guard, from Dallas, Texas, was a Second Team All-AAC and an All-AAC Defensive Team selection for the Mean Green. She averaged 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33 starts last season for UNT.

"Dez is a great addition to our Buffs' backcourt," Payne expressed. "She is a dynamic scorer who can create for herself and others. Adding another All-Conference Defensive player will be a huge asset going into next season. I can't wait to see what Dez will do on the court this season as she has a world of potential."

Wooten was second on the Mean Green last season in scoring and recorded a team-high 58 steals – the fourth most by a sophomore in UNT history. She scored a career-high 25 points vs Memphis and totaled 18 games in double-figures. Wooten was shy of a double-double vs East Carolina in the AAC Tournament, posting 11 points and a career-high seven assists.

Wooten appeared in all 32 games as a redshirt freshman in 2023-24. She's shooting 39.4% from the field in two seasons, totaling 562 career points. She did not play her first season in Denton, sitting out all 2022-23 due to injury.

Wooten graduated from Mansfield Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas. She was named the District 5-5A MVP as a sophomore, along with her Region I 5A Tournament MVP honors.
"
______________________________________________________________________________________________




Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/5/2/womens-basketball-mcerlane-joins-womens-hoops

"

McErlane Joins Women’s Hoops​

DePaul transfer joins Buffs

By: Seth Pringle, Athletic Communications

BOULDER – Colorado women's basketball inked its fourth transfer commit for the 2025-26 season on Friday, announcing the signing of guard Maeve McErlane.

McErlane comes to Boulder after spending the last three seasons at DePaul. She did not play in 2024-25 due to injury.

"I'm thrilled to have Maeve joining our Buff Family this year," head coach JR Payne exclaimed. "She is a fierce competitor and can play multiple guard positions. She is as tough as they come, and I believe Maeve will have a big impact, not only in basketball, but in our greater Colorado community as a whole."

McErlane started 25 and played 31 games for the Blue Demons as a sophomore in 2023-24. She averaged 4.6 points, 2.9 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. McErlane recorded a career-high 26 points against Alabama State and twice handed out a career-high nine assists.

The 5-10 guard scored in double-figures on four occasions and handed out five or more assists in five games.

As a freshman, McErlane appeared in 13 games, made one start, and was a Big East All-Academic Team selection. She's totaled 157 points in 44 career contests.

McErlane, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., was a four-year letterwinner at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur. She was a three-time All-Delaware County First Team selection and a two-time Ms. Pennsylvania Basketball nominee. McErlane averaged 17.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game on her way to being a McDonald's All-American nominee in 2022.

McErlane will have two years of eligibility remaining and joins a class of recently announced transfers Claire O'Connor (Gonzaga), Zyanna Walker (Kansas State) and Desiree Wooten (North Texas).
"
 
Very happy with this new in-portal group of 4, and it looks like each player has 2 years of eligibility left. The coaching staff has done a really good job firming up the roster. Next season should be fun to watch.
 
I really hope the new players will stay the two years of eligibility they have. I hope some will see that the players who transferred out this season didn't all end up in a higher level of competition school. They may get to play more but most will not be going to the Dance come spring.

With JR coaching, that is always a possibility.

It will be interesting to see who she brings in as an assistant coach.
 
buffgal said:
I really hope the new players will stay the two years of eligibility they have. I hope some will see that the players who transferred out this season didn't all end up in a higher level of competition school. They may get to play more but most will not be going to the Dance come spring.

With JR coaching, that is always a possibility.

It will be interesting to see who she brings in as an assistant coach.
Click to expand...
Yes it will be. It’s shaping up to be a very busy offseason for JR et al.
 
Yesterday's article in the Camera talked about JR wants the guards to understand about assists. The players she brought in are supposed to be good defensive players and also make assists. That is the style of ball JR likes.

We do need players who can shoot the ball and it looks like we didn't get a big.
 
Tabitha Benson is the subject of the article in today's Camera.

I like that kid. She said when she committed to Colorado it was to play for JR and her staff for 4 years. They kept their commitment to her and there is no reason to look elsewhere.

I know things can change by the end of next season, but this makes me quite happy to see a player in today's world of college sports say she committed with the expectation of playing 4 years.
 
buffgal said:
Tabitha Benson is the subject of the article in today's Camera.

I like that kid. She said when she committed to Colorado it was to play for JR and her staff for 4 years. They kept their commitment to her and there is no reason to look elsewhere.

I know things can change by the end of next season, but this makes me quite happy to see a player in today's world of college sports say she committed with the expectation of playing 4 years.
Click to expand...
take two. I saw that article pop up on my phone and my first thought was she was gone. I am glad she is staying and think she can be a really good player. Its bad that when we see local journalists write articles the first thing we think is that player is leaving.
 
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