Colorado Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Buffaloes

Key reserves

Forward – Tristan da Silva, Frosh.

Tristan da Silva is a German native that made 24 appearances for Colorado basketball in 2020-21, posting 2.7 ppg and 1.0 rpg on 52.9 percent shooting from the field. He’s a returner with versatility in the rotation at 6-foot-10, especially defensively. He turned in a 98.5 defensive rating across 9.3 minutes per contest this past season. Hopefully, that keeps trending in the right direction in Year 2 for the Buffaloes.

Guard/Wing – Luke O’Brien, Frosh.

Luke O’Brien is another returning name in the rotation. He’s a versatile prospect in the rotation at 6-foot-7 that should see time at the 2 and 3-spot for the Buffaloes. He’ll battle for minutes off the bench and could even find himself in the starting lineup if he improves after making 10 appearances in 2020-21.

Guard/Wing – Nique Clifford, Frosh.

Nique Clifford is the third returner that should see minutes at the 2 and 3-spot given his 6-foot-5 frame. He made 14 appearances this past season for the Buffaloes and with a guard-heavy rotation, Coach Boyle won’t be shy about seeing what Clifford can do on the wing off the bench.

Wing/Guard – Quincy Allen, Frosh.

Coach Boyle will have plenty of options to work with off the bench, especially with true freshman Quincy Allen. Allen is yet another versatile wing prospect at 6-foot-7 out of the DMV area from Maret High (D.C.). He took home the D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year while averaging 22.3 ppg and 10.3 rpg during his final year of high school.

Point Guard – Julian Hammond III, Frosh.

Julian Hammond is the third member of the 2021 class that should see time at the backup lead guard role in the Colorado basketball lineup. He’s a 6-foot-2 lead guard out of Cherry Creek High in Denver that should become a fan favorite right away. He produced 22.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 3.8 apg in his final season of high school basketball and should bring a similar playmaking ability to the Buffaloes rotation.

Guard – K.J. Simpson, Frosh.

K.J. Simpson is another member of the 2021 recruiting class that should see time in the backcourt. He’s a 6-foot-2 guard that can play either role in the backcourt for the Buffaloes. He should turn heads with his two-way presence on the floor and ability to score the ball, especially from the perimeter.