Colorado women's basketball was ranked eighth in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll released Thursday, and senior guard Zyanna Walker earned a spot on the conference's 10-player preseason team.
Walker is Colorado's only selection, giving coach JR Payne a familiar face as the Buffaloes prepare for the 2026-27 season. The recognition follows a productive first year in Boulder, earning Walker Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors and an All-Big 12 honorable mention.
Zyanna Walker returns with proven experience
The 5-foot-11 guard from Wichita, Kansas, led Colorado with 70 steals last season, averaging two per game and finishing third in the conference. She averaged 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds while starting all 18 Big 12 regular-season games.
Walker also delivered a 24-point performance at Kansas
and scored 41 points across Colorado's three Big 12 Tournament games.
Her experience includes stops at Louisville and Kansas State before she arrived at Colorado. She earned all-defensive recognition at Kansas State in 2024-25, setting a perimeter-defense record that has carried into her time with the Buffaloes.
Preseason All-Big 12 for Zy👏#GoBuffs // #TheStandard pic.twitter.com/78qemYc3Yi
— Colorado Women's Basketball 🦬 (@CUBuffsWBB) October 8, 2026
Colorado opens its regular season against Morgan State on Nov. 4 at the CU Events Center, following an Oct. 27 exhibition against Adams State. Both games are scheduled for 6 p.m. MT, giving the Buffaloes their first opportunities to establish a rotation before conference play.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado women's basketball picked eighth in Big 12 preseason poll
