A Champion Returns Home: CU to honor Jaylyn Sherrod

Peighton Lemp
5 days ago
2 min read

This Sunday, Colorado Buffaloes women’s basketball will honor former point guard Jaylyn Sherrod for her significant contributions to the program, CU athletics and her professional career.

Sherrod played for the Buffaloes from 2019-2024. In that time, she started a program-record 133 games and averaged 10.6 points. She racked up many conference accolades throughout her collegiate career, including two-time All-Pac-12, two-time Pac-12 All-Defense and Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.

In 2018, CU’s basketball program was last in the Pac-12 before Sherrod became a Buff. Overlooked due to her 5-foot-7 frame, coach JR Payne extended Sherrod her only Power Five offer.

But with her leadership, she helped lead CU to the NCAA tournament in 2022, its first appearance since 2013. Colorado went back to the tournament in her final two years as a Buff. In those seasons, the Buffs made it to the Sweet 16 before being knocked out.

“Jaylyn came to Colorado four years ago with a goal and a vision to help elevate the program to a place where we could compete for a championship … Ultimately, Jay embodies everything we are about—toughness, grit, loyalty and a desire to be excellent in everything she does," said Payne after Sherrod’s announcement that she was taking her fifth year of eligibility with the Buffaloes.

Despite her incredible skills against competition like Cailtin Clark, Angel Reese, Cameron Brink and many others in her class, Sherrod went undrafted in the 2024 WNBA draft. However, she got her big break when she signed a training camp contract with the New York Liberty. She was eventually waived, but later she signed a 7-day contract with the Liberty on July 6, 2024.

“Jaylyn has worked tirelessly to build herself into one of the toughest, most reliable point guards in America. I couldn't be more proud of her because this is pure heart," said Payne when Sherrod signed with the Liberty.

She ended up signing two more 7-day contracts on July 13 and Aug. 17 before being signed to an end-of-season contract on August 26th, 2024. During her time in New York, she averaged 1.5 points on 38.2% shooting in 5 minutes per game.

Sherrod “was often one of the last women off the Liberty bench but became a fan favorite for her defensive tenacity and hustle plays during her entries,” said sportswriter Geoff Magliocchetti on her impact during her time with the Liberty.

The Liberty won the 2024 WNBA championship, making Sherrod the first CU alumnus to win a WNBA title, the latest of her impressive feats

This past offseason, she was waived from the Liberty but later signed with the Minnesota Lynx on Aug 9.

The tribute to Sherrod is the first of many events Colorado has planned to honor players on its Wall of Honor during the 2025-2026 season. Additionally, the plaza outside the CU Events Center will be renamed on Jan. 25 to honor Ceal Barry, Colorado women’s basketball’s all-time winningest coach.

Buffaloes fans will get the chance to see Sherrod honored and the team play Portland State on Sunday at 1 p.m. MT at the CU Events Center.