In closing out a 75-59 win against Nevada in Lake Tahoe on Tuesday night, the Colorado women’s basketball team had five freshmen on the floor together.
Those few minutes gave a small glimpse into the future of the program. But the future got even brighter Wednesday when the Buffaloes and head coach JR Payne signed four players to the 2025 recruiting class.
On Wednesday, Jade Crook, a 6-foot-3 center from New South Wales, Australia; 6-foot guard Erianna Gooden (Northside High School in Fort Smith, Ark.); 6-4 forward Logyn Greer (Friends Central High School in Wynnewood, Pa.); and 6-4 power forward Sophie Zadel (Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Texas) officially signed with the Buffaloes.
“We are extremely excited about this incoming class!” Payne said in a news release. “We’ve worked so hard to recruit great players, great students and great young women who will positively impact our program. These young ladies are going to be great Buffs.”
Crook chose CU over Arkansas, Oregon State and Davidson, among others. She has been playing at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, which also produced current CU senior Sara-Rose Smith.
Loaded with international experience, Crook helped Australia win the U18 Asia Cup in China in June, posting six points, five rebounds and four assists in the final. She averaged 7.0 points and 6.2 rebounds in 13.3 minutes per game during the tournament.
Gooden chose CU over Columbia, Creighton, Missouri State, Oklahoma State and UNLV. A varsity starter since her freshman year, she has averaged 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.6 steals in her prep career.
Last year as a junior, she averaged 19.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.5 steals and earned all-state honors.
Greer is a four-star prospect who chose CU over Arizona State, Clemson, West Virginia and others. She is ranked No. 80 on the ESPN HoopGurlz top 100. During her prep career, she has averaged 15.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists and has posted three triple-doubles.
Zadel visited Miami, Oklahoma State and others before committing to CU. She averaged 14.5 points and 10.6 rebounds as a junior last year. She also had 15 double-doubles during her junior year.