Jaylyn Sherrod, Kindyll Wetta a dynamic backcourt duo for Colorado women's basketball
Nov. 3—Jaylyn Sherrod is the point guard and one of the unquestioned leaders of the Colorado women's basketball team.
Kindyll Wetta already is one of the top backcourt defenders in the Pac-12 Conference and a player the Buffaloes are counting on for continued growth, even as she frequently spells Sherrod at the point.
Together, they already form one of the most athletic, defensively-minded backcourt duos in the conference. And head coach JR Payne has hinted Sherrod and Wetta may share the floor more frequently during the 2022-23 season.
The Buffs completed the preseason with a thorough 75-48 thumping of Division II Adams State on Tuesday night. CU begins the regular season as the front half of an opening day doubleheader at the Events Center on Monday against New Mexico State (noon), and with program all-timer Mya Hollingshed and four-year starter Peanut Tuitele no longer holding down starting spots in the frontcourt, the Buffs are likely to feature a more guard-heavy attack.
"I think this team is fit to run in transition. I think this team is fit to be one of the best defensive teams we can be," Sherrod said. "I also think that this team is balanced. I feel like it can be anybody's night anytime. Anyone could have a great game. I think there will be a more balanced approach offensively and defensively."
Sherrod started all 31 games a year ago and has logged 66 starts over three seasons at CU. Although her scoring average dipped slightly to a career-low 8.1 points per game last year, Sherrod posted a career-best assist-to-turnover rate (1.72) and a career-best 3-point percentage (.302), while ranking third in the Pac-12 with 55 steals.
Wetta played off the bench in all 31 games last year as a true freshman, recording an even more impressive assist-to-turnover rate (2.00) while finishing second in the Pac-12 with 66 steals (Wetta did struggle to a 5-for-30 mark on 3-pointers). The Valor Christian graduate became the first player in the Pac-12-era history of the conference to earn spots on the league's All-Freshman and All-Defensive teams in the same season.
"They both deserve a lot more than 20 minutes per game, and there's only 40 minutes a game for the point guard position," Payne said. "They definitely will be playing more on the floor together. Defensively, they're maybe the best defensive combo of guards in the conference. We definitely think we can have some different kinds of lineups with both of them."
Both players resumed their regular roles during Tuesday's exhibition win, with Sherrod starting and going 2-for-3 with seven points, four assists and two steals, while Wetta came off the bench to record two points, five assists and four steals. That dynamic is unlikely to change at the outset of the regular season, even if Payne ultimately pairs the versatile guards together more frequently within games.
"Yes, we lost a lot of pieces. But we also brought in a lot of pieces," Sherrod said. "And I feel like we've brought back a lot of experience. A lot of people who have played in big games and they've logged a lot of minutes. We lost a lot of production, but we also brought back a lot of production. This year's team, the only difference I personally feel like is it's more of a full team.
"With Mya, a lot of attention went to her in our opponents' scout and stuff like that. This year, it will be a lot more balanced."
