10 Portal Targets for the Colorado Buffaloes
- Various Authors
- Apr 9
- 7 min read
By: Jake Chau, Xavier Michnewicz
How deep are athletic director Fernando Lovo’s pockets?
It’s transfer portal season as Colorado will look to retain and rebuild its roster from a season ago. Coming off their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five years, the Buffaloes could be a destination spot for players looking to make a Power 4 jump.
As of writing, Colorado has five confirmed returners and transfers. The Buffs will need to fill seven roster spots, with five returning alongside two yet-to-be-confirmed returners expected to make up the roster.
So, who will fit head coach JR Payne and the Buffaloes’ identity? We outlined 10 targets that are either lofty additions or could fit right in Boulder.
Keep tabs on the Buffaloes with our portal tracker.
Forward Audi Crooks, junior Iowa State
GP: 31 STL: 0.3
MIN: 28.8 BLK: 0.8
PTS: 25.8 TO: 2.5
REB: 7.7 FG%: 64.9
AST: 1.7 3P%: 9.1
PF: 2.5 FT%: 73.1
It’s hard to keep the 6-foot-3 scoring phenom off on any portal target list. Crooks had an excellent season at Iowa State, where she scored over 25 points per game and added nearly eight rebounds on 65 percent shooting.
Though she is sure to get looks from bigger programs with more resources, Crooks was the centerpiece to the Cyclones, and she’ll have to be the centerpiece to any team she joins. That might scare off those programs with established rosters who are a few additions from competing with UConn and UCLA for national titles. With so many pieces going out for Colorado, Crooks' addition could be a perfect opportunity for Payne to build around her for one year.
Colorado has forwards Sophie Zadel and Jade Crook returning, and while reliable pieces, they surely won’t provide the same type of production that Crooks would. This move would leave a major question mark with freshman forward Logyn Greer. Should the freshman forward return in black and gold, she might have to battle for minutes with Crooks, given the deep front court. If Greer were to take her talents elsewhere, the addition of Crooks would start to make a whole lot more sense.
Forward Nene Ndiaye, junior Rutgers
GP: 26 STL: 1.4
MIN: 31.5 BLK: 0.2
PTS: 14.8 TO: 2.9
REB: 5.3 FG%: 45.6
AST: 1.5 3P%: 41.6
PF: 2.7 FT%: 74.5
Ndiaye had a breakout season this year for the Scarlet Knights, more than tripling her points per game total from the year prior and bringing down three more rebounds in the Big Ten.
Ndiaye will be sure to draw offers from bigger programs, but if the Buffs could add talent like her, it would signal a big splash in the Payne era. Though not necessarily a positional need for the Buffs, adding a 6-foot-1 post to the lineup to pair with Greer could add some potency down low.
The forward has also shown excellent ball-handling skills with a strong first step against defenders. Though listed as a forward, the Scarlet Knights often had her in a more traditional wing role at times, sitting in the corner with a lethal 3-point shot. Defensively, her length and strength give her a unique ability to find steals as a forward.
Guard Victoria Rivera, senior Georgetown
GP: 9 STL: 0.8
MIN: 20.3 BLK: 0.0
PTS: 9.4 TO: 1.4
REB: 2.2 FG%: 41.5
AST: 0.6 3P%: 45.2
PF: 2.0 FT%: 100.0
Rivera will be sure to get a lot of looks in the portal, but may be overlooked because of how few games she played in her 2025-26 campaign. Though the senior guard was prepared to build on a season where she averaged more than 10 points per game, her veteran presence could add to the Colorado locker room.
Her ability to push the pace in transition makes her an interesting prospect to target, especially when the Buffs are looking to punish teams for playing at altitude. Combine this with her ability to shoot the 3 at over 45 percent, and Rivera will have heads turning when looking to add a guard.
Forward Charlotte Tuhy, freshman American
GP: 30 STL: 1.0
MIN: 32.7 BLK: 1.1
PTS: 12.0 TO: 2.3
REB: 11.3 FG%: 41.2
AST: 1.4 3P%: 32.7
PF: 2.1 FT%: 72.4
Tuhy is another interesting combination of scoring and defense that could be a Desiree Wooten replacement. Averaging a double-double, including a 25-point, 15-rebound performance in the Patriot League tournament, the 6-foot-1 freshman has some raw talent with a versatile skillset.
Because of her size, she will often play down low, setting screens, but has shown the ability to pop out for a 3-pointer, which defenders have to respect. Tuhy has also shown the ability to move off her spot and go downhill, and because of her size, often will draw contact or fool a defender with a floater.
Guard Lily Carmody, sophomore Boston College
GP: 30 STL: 1.4
MIN: 28.9 BLK: 0.2
PTS: 12.8 TO: 3.0
REB: 3.5 FG%: 47.2
AST: 2.1 3P%: 30.4
PF: 3.3 FT%: 82.9
Like the other names on this list, Carmody has some length on a 5-foot-11 frame that allows her to drive downhill when necessary and grab critical boards. Shooting over 47 percent while scoring nearly 13 points per game, the sophomore shows some real promise in a good system.
After playing for a 5-26 Boston College team that won only one game in the ACC, Carmody could generate some real wins for Colorado in the Big 12.
With a strong court vision and desire to create contact while driving, Carmody would be a good fit in Payne’s “blue collar” system.
Guard Camryn Runner, sophomore Evansville
GP: 35 STL: 1.6
MIN: 36.0 BLK: 0.5
PTS: 18.2 TO: 3.3
REB: 5.6 FG%: 42.2
AST: 5.6 3P%: 29.5
PF: 3.0 FT%: 84.2
Runner was the centerpiece to an Evansville team that finished just 10-25 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Despite the team record, she was a bright spot that stuffed the stat sheet day in and day out. The sophomore guard recorded 20 points 13 times across the season, including a 36-point performance against the Drake Bulldogs.
Runner can be a defensive liability at times, failing to help on wide-open shots under the basket, but she makes up for it with her vision on offense and excellent internal clock. Her ability to get time passes through defenders and find the open man makes her invaluable. When the pass isn’t there, her internal IQ helps her create her own shot, balance there or not.
Her poise and ability to rise to the moment are also worth mentioning. Evansville was the 10 seed in the conference tournament, where 19 points per game across four tournament games from Runner helped the Purple Aces upset both 2-seeded Belmont and 3-seeded Illinois State en route to the championship game – the first ten seed to make the MVC Championship.
For a team that lacked a true number one option that could take over a game, an All-Tournament Teamer in Runner would prove valuable and would define the Buffs’ offense in the coming years.
Guard Jordan Speiser, freshman Kansas State
GP: 37 STL: 1.0
MIN: 22.9 BLK: 0.3
PTS: 10.2 TO: 2.1
REB: 3.5 FG%: 38.0
AST: 0.9 3P%: 34.9
PF: 2.3 FT%: 87.5
Speiser would be another big splash addition for Colorado. Another huge piece to a conference tournament Cinderella, Speiser hit on 16 3-pointers across the Wildcats’ Big 12 Conference Tournament run, which saw them upset fifth-seeded Texas Tech and fourth-seeded Oklahoma State to reach the semifinals.
For her ability to shoot the 3-ball at a respectable clip, Spesier would be a big spark to an offense that was lacking last year. Speiser did enter the portal with a “do not contact” tag, according to On3’s portal tracker.
Forward Reese Ross, junior Utah
GP: 30 STL: 0.8
MIN: 28.9 BLK: 0.4
PTS: 9.3 TO: 2.6
REB: 8.2 FG%: 47.2
AST: 1.9 3P%: 32.8
PF: 2.8 FT%: 63.4
Ross was in rarified air within the Big 12 last year as one of just three players to average eight or more points per game and eight or more rebounds per game – joined by Colorado senior Anaelle Dutat. Ross could step into the hole left by Dutat’s graduation seamlessly while staying in the Big 12.
The 6-foot-1 junior has shown a good catch and release from beyond the perimeter, warranting defenses to stay close while she’s on the wing. Combined with a strong first step and her ability to get downhill into space, her length allows her to be a versatile guard.
Ross had 10 points and seven rebounds when she played the Buffaloes earlier this year. Payne’s squad could benefit from that stat line game by game.
Guard Elisa Mevius, senior Oregon
GP: 2 STL: 2.5
MIN: 22.0 BLK: 0.5
PTS: 12.5 TO: 1.0
REB: 1.5 FG%: 57.9
AST: 3.O 3P%: 33.3
PF: 0.0 FT%: 100.0
Another senior guard makes the list, this time in the form of Elisa Mevius. Her senior season ended before it really began due to a knee injury she suffered in her second game. Though her stat line is low across 92 career games, Mevius averaged 10.3 points per game on 46 percent shooting.
Mevius transferred to the Ducks after two years at Siena College, where she took a year to calibrate to playing in the Big Ten. While her numbers took a step back, her ball-handling skills were notable, taking much better care of the ball and cutting her turnover numbers in half.
While taking care of the ball, Mevius has recorded over 200 steals across her career as a strong defensive presence. For a team that prides itself on its defensive prowess, Mevius would be a perfect fit for the Buffaloes.
Guard Aryss Macktoon, junior La Salle
GP: 33 STL: 3.2
MIN: 32.8 BLK: 0.5
PTS: 15.0 TO: 2.7
REB: 7.6 FG%: 40.4
AST: 2.0 3P%: 19.3
PF: 2.7 FT%: 67.5
Macktoon is another intriguing prospect for her versatility. Though she only hit on 11 3-pointers across the season, she makes up for it with her high motor. Her off-ball offense and unselfish playstyle helped the Explorers run their offense all season. The 5-foot-11 junior shows flashes of a high IQ with a strong ability to cut and create her own shot.
That high IQ translates defensively as well. Averaging over three steals per game in her 2025-26 season, Macktoon is a do-it-all type of player who also recorded eight double-doubles this season. While her 3-point shot is left to be desired, Macktoon is a strong candidate to fill Wooten’s role.
Though the Buffaloes have a strong returning foundation in guard Zyanna Walker, while freshman Sophie Zadel and sophomore Kennedy Sanders will look to take steps forward, even getting just one of these names could help Payne and Colorado back to the big dance and beyond.
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