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Colorado men's basketball transfer portal tracker ahead of 2024-25 season

scott procter, fort collins coloradoan
·6 min read
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) is defended by Grace College's Elijah Malone (50) during a men’s basketball exhibition game on Nov. 1, 2023, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) is defended by Grace College's Elijah Malone (50) during a men’s basketball exhibition game on Nov. 1, 2023, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.

Colorado basketball and coach Tad Boyle have had to re-tool the Buffs roster after one of the most successful seasons in program history.

Each of Colorado's top six rotation players from the 2023-24 campaign have transferred or entered the NBA draft. Boyle's Buffs won a program-record 26 games last season (and back-to-back NCAA Tournament wins for the first time since 1955) and a pair of transfers were crucial to that.

As Colorado transitions into the Big 12, the portal will have to be utilized once again with so much production on its way out of Boulder.

With that in mind, here's a look at the players leaving the Colorado men's basketball program and those who will join via transfer.

This list will be updated through the offseason as players leave and join the Buffaloes.

Colorado players entering transfer portal or NBA draft

EDDIE LAMPKIN JR.

Position: Center

Notable: The 6-foot-11, 265-pound big man was an emotional leader for Colorado in his first season with the Buffaloes. Lampkin Jr. played in all 37 games, averaging 10.6 points and seven rebounds per game. The former TCU center is headed to Syracuse to play for the Orange.

Colorado Buffaloes center Eddie Lampkin Jr. (44) reacts in the second half against the Florida Gators in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Gainbridge FieldHouse on March 22 in Indianapolis, IN.
Colorado Buffaloes center Eddie Lampkin Jr. (44) reacts in the second half against the Florida Gators in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at Gainbridge FieldHouse on March 22 in Indianapolis, IN.

J'VONNE HADLEY

Position: Forward

Notable: The 6-foot-6, 205-pound senior improved mightily in his second season at Colorado, setting career highs in points (11.6), rebounds (six), assists (2.4), field goal percentage (53.8%) and 3-point percentage (41.7%). Hadley, a former junior college standout, will also spend the 2024-25 campaign in the ACC after committing to Louisville.

Colorado Buffaloes guard J'Vonne Hadley (1) drives against Washington State Cougars guard Kymany Houinsou (31) in the second half at the CU Events Center on Dec 31 in Boulder.
Colorado Buffaloes guard J'Vonne Hadley (1) drives against Washington State Cougars guard Kymany Houinsou (31) in the second half at the CU Events Center on Dec 31 in Boulder.

LUKE O'BRIEN

Position: Forward

Notable: The 6-foot-8, 220-pound senior spent the last four years at Colorado and set career highs in both points (6.7) and field goal percentage (45.6%) last season. O'Brien, a Littleton native, will finish his college basketball career at Georgia Tech.

Colorado Buffaloes guard Luke O'Brien (0) gestures after a three point basket against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the Pac-12 Championship game at T-Mobile Arena on March 16 in Las Vegas.
Colorado Buffaloes guard Luke O'Brien (0) gestures after a three point basket against the Oregon Ducks in the first half of the Pac-12 Championship game at T-Mobile Arena on March 16 in Las Vegas.

TRISTAN DA SILVA

Position: Forward

Notable: The 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior spent the entirety of his college career at Colorado and was a three-year starter. Da Silva, who averaged 16 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season, is headed to the NBA draft as a projected top-20 pick.

Colorado Buffaloes forward Tristan da Silva (23) lines up a basket in the second half against the California Golden Bears at the CU Events Center on Feb. 28 in Boulder.
Colorado Buffaloes forward Tristan da Silva (23) lines up a basket in the second half against the California Golden Bears at the CU Events Center on Feb. 28 in Boulder.

KJ SIMPSON

Position: Guard

Notable: The 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior was a first-team All-Pac selection last season as he led Colorado in points (19.7 per game), assists (4.9), steals (1.6) and 3-point percentage (43.4%). Simpson declared for the 2024 NBA draft earlier this month and is projected to be a fringe first-round pick.

Colorado Buffaloes guard KJ Simpson (2) shoots against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the first half at Gainbridge FieldHouse on March 24 in Indianapolis.
Colorado Buffaloes guard KJ Simpson (2) shoots against the Marquette Golden Eagles during the first half at Gainbridge FieldHouse on March 24 in Indianapolis.

CODY WILLIAMS

Position: Forward

Notable: The 6-foot-8, 190-pound freshman flashed enough of his high upside as a true freshman to be a potential lottery pick. Williams missed 13 games last season with various injuries (wrist, face, ankle) but still managed to average 11.9 points on 55.2% shooting from the field on 41.5% shooting from deep. The former McDonald's All-American should hear his name called early on during the 2024 NBA draft.

Colorado Buffaloes forward Cody Williams (10) looks on during the NCAA tournament practice day at Gainbridge FieldHouse on March 21 in Indianapolis.
Colorado Buffaloes forward Cody Williams (10) looks on during the NCAA tournament practice day at Gainbridge FieldHouse on March 21 in Indianapolis.

Players transferring to Colorado

TREVOR BASKIN

Position: Forward

Notable: The 6-foot-9, 200-pound forward was Colorado's first addition from the transfer portal this offseason. Baskin averaged 18.5 points (39% from deep), 8.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season for Division II Colorado Mesa. After choosing the Buffs over Colorado State, Baskin projects to be a starter for Boyle in 2024.

“The first thing you look at when you see (Trevor) play is his diverse skill set,” Boyle said Monday in a news release. “For a guy that’s 6-foot-9 with a long wingspan, he can really shoot the ball, put it on the floor and he can pass and rebound. He can do a little bit of everything.

“When you lose a Tristan da Silva, who’s 6-foot-9, with a great diverse skill set, and you’re able to pick up a guy like Trevor, it makes you feel better about Tristan’s loss. Trevor’s going to be able to impact the game in a lot of different ways, and the thing I like about him is he can play multiple positions offensively and guard multiple positions defensively. Anyone who has followed Colorado basketball knows it’s something that we value.”

ANDREJ JAKIMOVSKI

Position: Forward

Notable: The 6-foot-8, 220-pound senior from Macedonia started all 35 games he played in last season for Washington State (33.7 minutes per game) and averaged 9.7 points to go along with 5.6 rebounds. Jakimovski dropped a team-high 19 points on the Buffs in Boulder on Dec. 31, has 80 career starts under his belt and should slot right into Colorado's starting lineup for 2024-25 alongside Baskin.

More: Colorado basketball picks up Washington State transfer Andrej Jakimovski from portal

“I think our five-out system is really going to help Andrej expand his game offensively and show some other things he’s capable of doing, that he didn’t have a chance to at Washington State based on their personnel (primarily playing with two bigs)," Boyle said Monday in a news release. "They had a heck of a team, finished second in the league, one spot ahead of the Buffaloes. I’ve got great respect for Andrej, and what he’s done in his career at Washington State and I think he can build on that as he comes to Colorado for a year.

“We lost the majority of our 3-point shooting this year, and so to be able to sign a guy that is a proven 3-point shooter at the highest level of college basketball is something we needed to replace. The thing I love about Andrej is his toughness and his ability to rebound both offensively and defensively."

Washington State Cougars forward Andrej Jakimovski (23) drives at Colorado Buffaloes guard J'Vonne Hadley (1) in the first half at the CU Events Center on Dec. 31 in Boulder.
Washington State Cougars forward Andrej Jakimovski (23) drives at Colorado Buffaloes guard J'Vonne Hadley (1) in the first half at the CU Events Center on Dec. 31 in Boulder.

ELIJAH MALONE

Position: Center

Notable: The 6-foot-10 big man was the NAIA Player of the Year last season as he averaged 17.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocks last season at Grace College. Malone was one of the hottest names in the transfer portal, choosing Colorado over Boise State, Indiana, Notre Dame and others. The 2024 Bevo Francis Award winner, given to the best player among all of small college basketball (NCAA Div. II, Div. III, NAIA, junior colleges), gives the Buffs a formidable paint presence.

“Elijah could have left Grace College after his sophomore or junior years and very easily gone to the Division I level,” Boyle said Monday in a news release. “But the fact that he showed loyalty to his teammates and coaching staff that he signed with coming out of high school, that tells you everything you need to know about his character and kind of person he is. His value system and our value system are aligned very well.

“He wants to be able to prove himself at the highest level of college basketball and playing in the Big 12 is going to allow him the opportunity to do that. The way we play our style and the way he played at Grace College are very similar. So I feel really good about him in terms of what we lost and what we need for next year’s team. He fits the bill perfectly.”

Grace College senior Elijah Malone (50) blocks the shot of Bethel senior Nathan Aerts during a men's basketball game Jan. 24 at Bethel University in Mishawaka.
Grace College senior Elijah Malone (50) blocks the shot of Bethel senior Nathan Aerts during a men's basketball game Jan. 24 at Bethel University in Mishawaka.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado basketball transfer portal tracker ahead of 2024 season