Colorado Holds First Official Practice

BOULDER –The University of Colorado women's basketball team held its first official practice of the 2018-19 season on Wednesday. This season's team features a solid makeup of key returners and a young corps.

Colorado returns four starters and eight letterwiners in all from last season. The Buffs depth will be showcased as well. CU has nine underclassmen on its 13-player roster.

"We are fired up," head coach JR Payne exclaimed. "We have two great seniors, two great juniors and a ton of freshman and sophomores. We are really excited about our team. I think we have a ton of potential and we are going to be a ton of fun to watch this year."

The Buffs got an early start to the year last month, taking a trip to Italy. Colorado was allowed 10 practices in preparation for the trip. The team got early on-court experience in Italy, playing in three exhibitions.

"It almost does not feel like the first day of practice," Payne continued. "We have kind of been there and done that. Right now, we are looking to grow on what we established this summer. We are looking to build on what we started."

"To have ten of those [practices] before the season actually starts helps immensely, probably more than we realize," senior Kennedy Leonard added on. "We were able to put in our offenses and defenses, all the things you normally do not get to put in until now. Having done that a month ago I think helps us a lot."

Leonard, a 2018 first-team All-Pac-12 selection, and fellow senior Alexis Robinson return as the Buffs' top scorers from last season. Leonard started every game last season, averaging 14.7 points. Robinson started in 29 of the 30 games she played, scoring 12.1 points per game.

The two seniors will be a big key for the Buffs this season, both on and off the court.

"We need and are asking them to have a more vocal presence," Payne added. "Especially when it comes to their younger teammates. They have experience on everybody. There are things the underclassmen are going through that they need to help with. They need to be there to coach them up and encourage them since they have been through it."

The Buffs open the season with an exhibition game against Southern Nazarene on Oct. 29. Colorado will officially start the season on Nov. 6, hosting Northern Colorado.

Players Mentioned

Kennedy Leonard

Alexis Robinson

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