Jade Masogayo balancing leadership and legacy in final season with Buffaloes

The Colorado Buffaloes are looking to forward Jade Masogayo to captain their ship back to March Madness this season. (Photo by Ryan Asaro Sko Buffs Sports)

Of Colorado Buffaloes Women’s Basketball’s three returning players, it’s their leading scorer from a season ago who looks to step into an even larger role. 

Forward Jade Masogayo is coming off her best year of college basketball. Averaging 12.5 points per game on 59.9% from the field, she earned an All-Big 12 honorable mention. And heading into what might be her final year of collegiate hoops, the Texan looks to lead the charge for this Buffaloes squad. 

“Be a leader,” Masogayo said of her personal goals. “We have a brand new team again…so I’m just trying to be a leader, [and] pave the way for this team.”

Last season, Colorado was one win away from making the NCAA Tournament for the third year in a row. After two resilient wins in the Big 12 tournament, a trip to March Madness hung on a semifinal matchup against the eventual champion TCU Horned Frogs. 

However, the semifinal loss wasn't met without drama from Masogayo. Her career-high 22-point performance showed what could come out of the 6-foot-3 forward when the lights are brightest. 

Now, through CU’s second full week of practice, one thing is on Masogayo’s mind. 

“I haven’t been to the tournament throughout my whole college career,” Masogayo said. “That’s a big goal of mine. I just want to get there, I want to win, and I want to win in the tournament.” 

Jade Masogayo has embraced the Colorado Buffaloes since day one, returning for a second season with dominance in mind. (Ryan Asaro/Sko Buffs Sports)

However, a March Madness bid is not built in one day, and becoming a leader is not either. Last year, Masogayo had tournament-seasoned veterans such as Frida Formann and Kindyll Wetta leading the locker room. This season, she is the veteran presence. 

“My coaches have been really harping to me to step up and be a leader,” Masogayo said. “I’m more of a quiet type of player, so I’m really trying to work on that [and] lead by example.” 

On the court is a different story. As the 12th most efficient player in the NCAA last season, Masogayo was a force to be reckoned with in the post. While a personal goal of Masogayo’s, head coach JR Payne also needs the forward from a coaching standpoint. 

“We still need her to really grow on the court in her vocal presence,” Payne said. “I said to her, ‘You're the only one out here that knows exactly what we're doing [and] we're introducing a lot of new things, and you have to communicate that for your teammates.”

While Masogayo’s on-court leadership is still growing, her off-court presence has been felt. 

“Most of it has been off the court,...she was incredible,” Payne said.  “Throughout our spring recruiting process, [she] just took the lead,...super engaged [and] helped us recruit this great team. Then throughout the summer, off the court, she's organizing things with the team.” 

With the Buffaloes’ first exhibition on Oct. 29, Masogayo’s leadership looms large. Her next step into a leadership role will be just as important as her next basket and could be the key to carrying Colorado back to March Madness.

“I’m ready to be on the floor. Just do anything I can to help my teammates,” Masogayo said. “Get us into the tournament, just win. I just want to win. That’s my mentality right now.”