The Colorado women’s basketball team has been perfecting their craft awaiting the 2024-25 season opener in early November.
Only four Buffaloes returned from last year’s squad, forcing transfers and newcomers to take on big roles. With Colorado returning to the Big 12 this year, the team is looking for its new leaders.
Freshman Erin Powell may have what it takes to make a difference.
The native of Hampshire, England started playing basketball at 15 years old and immediately had a knack for the game.
“As soon as I started playing, I was hooked," Powell said before practice on Friday.
Despite getting a late start, the 6-foot forward won North Conference U17 Player of the Year in the 2021-22 season with the Charnwood College Riders. After a couple years of experience under her belt, Powell leveled up her game, winning North Conference Player of the Year and being named to the All-First team in her last season with the Riders (2023-2024).
According to the National Basketball League (NBL) England website, Powell played in nine of the Riders’ 11 games in the 2023-24 campaign. She averaged 23.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and six assists per game, all team highs.
Powell looks to mirror her contribution to the Riders’ success with the Buffs.
“I learned a lot about being a part of a team and being able to be a leader,” Powell said. “I can lead by example and be one of the hardest workers. That's something that I always do.”
With the Buffs losing leaders like Jaylyn Sherrod and Quay Miller, experience and leadership from Powell could help Colorado replicate its recent successful seasons.
Powell joins a group of seven Buffs who have played basketball internationally. Being surrounded with others who have similar experiences has brought comfort to Powell and some of her teammates.
“It’s easier to speak about being homesick and all those other challenges we feel being international athletes,” said Powell.
Among mental hardships, moving to a different country to play basketball presents other challenges. Powell admits that the game of basketball is played differently in Europe than in America, but it has been able to transition easily thanks to CU head coach JR Payne.
“In Europe, we play basketball with a slower pace, a lot more control and structure,” Powell noted.”I feel the way JR (Payne) plays emulates that, and it feels very similar to how we played in England.”
Some of the differences in the game across countries are due to inconsistencies in the rules between the FIBA and the NCAA.
Payne’s system gives the Buffs who played abroad a bit of familiarity in an otherwise vastly different game. Despite the style of play being similar, Powell has not fully adjusted to playing with the NCAA rules yet.
“I’m getting called for a lot more travels, so I know I (have) got to fix my feet on my jump shot," Powell explained. “I think there's a lot more I need to learn, but (it's) slowly all coming to me.”
Powell’s strong work ethic and dedication to improving gives her a leg up when adjusting to dribbling and shooting in America.
As seen from her senior year stats, Powell can shoot, rebound and pass. She wants to bring the mentality of being a team player to the Buffs to accomplish one main goal.
“We want to win a Big 12 Championship,” Powell said. “Personally, I want to see what I can bring in my freshman year to help us win. Whether that's scoring or rebounding or being an emotional support person, just learning everyday.”
Successful teams need players who put their egos aside, like Powell, and do whatever it takes to win. Being content with taking on any role for the improvement of the team is not a quality many young players possess.
Powell and the class of 2028 are excited to see how they can help create a new identity for the Buffs.
Colorado opens their season against the Wyoming Cowgirls on Nov. 4 in Laramie, Wyoming.
Cover photo by Remi Krupinksi/Sko Buffs Sports
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