Colorado University Athletics
Newcomer Spotlight Series: Anaëlle Dutat
February 16, 2026 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER - The Colorado Women's Basketball team added 10 new players to the roster ahead of the 2025-26 season. In order to get to know them all a little better, we're introducing the Newcomer Spotlight Series to highlight the five freshmen and five transfers on our squad.
Next up is senior forward Anaëlle Dutat.
When did you start playing basketball?
I was 10 or 11.
What was it like growing up in France?
It was nice. It was different from here.
What was different about it?
The people are all different. The mentality is different. The food is different. Culture is different.
What made you want to play basketball in the United States?
I had a friend when I was in middle school. He played basketball–thought he was the coolest guy ever. So then I started basketball, and in the US, I just had the opportunity. And also when you stay in France, it's hard to play at a high level and do good academics. So that's why I came to the US.
Why did you choose to come to Colorado?
I came to Colorado because of the academics. I had limited options, and then [Colorado] just could make it work. So that's why. But also, I like the coaches. I like the campus and every city, but the academics was the main reason.
What's been one of your favorite memories with the team so far?
This is more like a day to day. It's great. The team is great. I hang out with everybody, we all get along with each other. I don't have a specific memory, honestly.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of the season?
Win more games. Get to the tournament.
Do you have a favorite food from France that you miss?
Everything, anything from France. Any food from France–that's what I miss.
Why are you majoring in biomedical engineering?
I want to create prosthetics for track athletes.
What inspired you to do that?
I wanted to be a surgeon. Then I did an internship when I was 14 with a surgeon. I was like, no, I'm not doing that. But I still want to do something like medicine, but also with athletes. So that was like a good compromise.
You want to play professionally after graduation. Do you want to play in the US or somewhere else?
Anywhere I can, I guess. It depends [on] what I get after this season, but at some point, I [will] go back to France, for sure.
For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.
Next up is senior forward Anaëlle Dutat.
When did you start playing basketball?
I was 10 or 11.
What was it like growing up in France?
It was nice. It was different from here.
What was different about it?
The people are all different. The mentality is different. The food is different. Culture is different.
What made you want to play basketball in the United States?
I had a friend when I was in middle school. He played basketball–thought he was the coolest guy ever. So then I started basketball, and in the US, I just had the opportunity. And also when you stay in France, it's hard to play at a high level and do good academics. So that's why I came to the US.
Why did you choose to come to Colorado?
I came to Colorado because of the academics. I had limited options, and then [Colorado] just could make it work. So that's why. But also, I like the coaches. I like the campus and every city, but the academics was the main reason.
What's been one of your favorite memories with the team so far?
This is more like a day to day. It's great. The team is great. I hang out with everybody, we all get along with each other. I don't have a specific memory, honestly.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of the season?
Win more games. Get to the tournament.
Do you have a favorite food from France that you miss?
Everything, anything from France. Any food from France–that's what I miss.
Why are you majoring in biomedical engineering?
I want to create prosthetics for track athletes.
What inspired you to do that?
I wanted to be a surgeon. Then I did an internship when I was 14 with a surgeon. I was like, no, I'm not doing that. But I still want to do something like medicine, but also with athletes. So that was like a good compromise.
You want to play professionally after graduation. Do you want to play in the US or somewhere else?
Anywhere I can, I guess. It depends [on] what I get after this season, but at some point, I [will] go back to France, for sure.
For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.
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