How Elijah Malone is embracing his final season at Colorado

Eliajah Malone wipes his sweat during a Colorado practice (Photo by Oliver Hayes/Sko Buffs Sports)

Colorado Buffaloes center Elijah Malone is entering his final year of collegiate basketball, one he didn’t expect to have. As the only senior on the Buffaloes, he’s embracing the challenge of his last dance. 

This time a year ago, Malone was a transfer looking to take advantage of his opportunity to play a year of Division I basketball. Coming from Grace College, he had four seasons under his belt and brought experience to his position.

He fought to the very end with a Buffs team that finished dead last in the Big 12. Typically, the five years would have been it for Colorado’s center, who would have had to hang it up at the end of the season. 

But courtesy of a different sport, Malone’s story wasn’t over. Vanderbilt football quarterback Diego Pavia’s decision to sue the NCAA last fall rendered an additional year of eligibility for athletes who played junior college, regardless of sport. The unclarty of the rule has allowed for Malone to fall under this umbrella, even as a former NAIA player. 

“It’s my last year, I really gotta make it count,” Malone said. “Nothing left out here, nothing left in the tank. I gotta go all out.”

His first challenge came from head coach Tad Boyle, who called on the senior to elevate his leadership. Beginning in the offseason, Malone started to embrace his role.

“I hear his voice now. I think he’s more confident,” Boyle said. “It’s just amazing the difference a year can make in a player. We really like his mental state and were gonna need leadership this year.”

The youth of the Buffaloes gives optimism to their future with seven freshmen on this year’s squad. Malone has worked to take them under his wing. 

“Just being the only senior here this year, I feel like I’ve got to take a big step up in leadership, especially with how many young guys we have,” Malone said. “Just helping to coach them along so we can be really good this year.” 

Someone who knows Boyle’s system and the expectations of a leader is assistant coach Evan Battey. “The Mayor” governed many successful Colorado teams in his day.  Having played, he understands the importance of good chemistry in a team. A beloved Buff during his tenure, he has returned as a coach to build on those values. 

“Elijah’s done a really great job of bringing everyone together and providing a space to hang out at his house,” Battey said. “You want to see those guys spend time off the court because you know it's going to challenge together on the court.”  

During the Summer, Malone took time to learn about his teammates on the group’s trip to Australia. Touring the country provided an unforgettable experience for the 2025-26 group that they hope translates to the court.

“Especially with our trip to Australia, it was just a great way to connect with all of them; it was a great time,” Malone said. “Just hang out with the dudes, get to know them, get to know their backstories and where they’re from, that was great.”

In the Big 12, mental toughness will be key, but Malone learned from last season that he needed to be in better shape. Part of his confidence in leadership has stemmed from his weight loss in the offseason. Malone was able to spend a full year with a DI program, making changes to his body through DI conditioning.

“To play in the Big 12, you've got to be able to keep up with it,” Malone said.  “Just looking better, feeling better, playing better…dropping that weight, it’s easier to move.”

In practice, his energy has reflected that. Moving faster, increasing his voice and presence, Malone is becoming the example the young players need.

“It's affecting his ability to change directions and transition up and down,” Battey said. “He still has some ways to go, but he is getting better.”

Colorado is hoping that an adjustment in attitude and mindset for its newfound leader can water the seeds of its young saps and blossom a brighter future.