Colorado University Athletics
Sophie Zadel To Continue Playing for Buffs in 2026-27
April 06, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Freshman Forward Returns Crucial Depth to Colorado Squad
BOULDER, Colo – The Colorado women's basketball team is adding strength to its frontcourt, as Sophie Zadel (San Antonio, Tx/Alamo Heights H.S.) will return to the Buffaloes roster for the 2026-27 season, head coach JR Payne announced today.
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Zadel began her collegiate basketball career appearing in 18 games and making her first college start against Wyoming (Dec. 7). She recorded a season-high 19:56 minutes in the Buffs' win against Boise State (Nov. 18). On the season, Zadel pulled down 30 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive end, while providing valuable defensive depth off the bench.     Â
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"I'm so excited to see what Sophie can do in year two as a Buff," said Payne. "She's relatively new to the game as she started playing later than some, but her motor and athleticism are things you simply can't teach. I truly believe the jump she'll make from year one to year two is going to be huge!
"I'm excited to be back for my sophomore season at Colorado," said Zadel. "This program pushes me every day, and I can't wait to keep growing, developing my game, and taking the next step with this team."Â Â Â Â Â
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Zadel joins a steadily growing list of players who have announced they are returning to the Buffaloes next season with Zyanna Walker, Jade Crook, Kennedy Sanders, and Maeve McErlane. Â
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Colorado women's basketball wrapped up the 2025-26 season with its 17th NCAA Tournament appearance all-time, falling 66-57 in the First Round to seven-seed Illinois (Mar. 21). CU finished sixth in the Big 12 conference with an 11-7 record, going 22-12 overall and 14-3 at home. The Buffs have won over 20 games in each of the last five seasons and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five years. Â
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For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, please visit cubuffs.com/wbb. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswbb on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
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Zadel began her collegiate basketball career appearing in 18 games and making her first college start against Wyoming (Dec. 7). She recorded a season-high 19:56 minutes in the Buffs' win against Boise State (Nov. 18). On the season, Zadel pulled down 30 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive end, while providing valuable defensive depth off the bench.     Â
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"I'm so excited to see what Sophie can do in year two as a Buff," said Payne. "She's relatively new to the game as she started playing later than some, but her motor and athleticism are things you simply can't teach. I truly believe the jump she'll make from year one to year two is going to be huge!
"I'm excited to be back for my sophomore season at Colorado," said Zadel. "This program pushes me every day, and I can't wait to keep growing, developing my game, and taking the next step with this team."Â Â Â Â Â
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Zadel joins a steadily growing list of players who have announced they are returning to the Buffaloes next season with Zyanna Walker, Jade Crook, Kennedy Sanders, and Maeve McErlane. Â
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Colorado women's basketball wrapped up the 2025-26 season with its 17th NCAA Tournament appearance all-time, falling 66-57 in the First Round to seven-seed Illinois (Mar. 21). CU finished sixth in the Big 12 conference with an 11-7 record, going 22-12 overall and 14-3 at home. The Buffs have won over 20 games in each of the last five seasons and have appeared in the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five years. Â
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For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, please visit cubuffs.com/wbb. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswbb on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballMaeve McErlane is returning for the 2026-27 season | Colorado Women's Basketball
Monday, April 06
Sophie Zadel is returning for the 2026-27 season | Colorado Women's Basketball
Monday, April 06
Kennedy Sanders is returning for the 2026-27 season | Colorado Women's Basketball
Friday, April 03
Jade Crook is returning for the 2026-27 season | Colorado Women's Basketball
Friday, April 03