There was no doubt in the mind of Sara-Rose Smith that she wanted to come back for a bonus season of college basketball and make it a great one.

Before doing that, however, she needed a break.

Earlier this fall, the Colorado fifth-year senior stepped away for a bit and is grateful she did as she and the Buffaloes are on the verge of starting their season.

“I was really struggling with mental health, sort of throughout the summer and the start of the fall semester,” the 6-foot-1 guard said. “I took some time away just to sort of reset my mind, soul, my peace, all of that stuff, and just sort of re-evaluate what I want.

“Basketball has always been something that I’ve wanted, but just taking time to focus on my well-being, so I can come back into this space with a clear mind and know that I’m ready to completely attack this season.”

Smith and the Buffs will host Colorado Mines in an exhibition game on Sunday at the CU Events Center (1 p.m.) before visiting Wyoming in the season opener on Nov. 4 (5:30 p.m.).

The re-tooled Buffs, who have 10 newcomers, will rely on seniors Frida Formann, Kindyll Wetta and Smith for leadership, and they’re doing just that. Head coach JR Payne said Smith has stepped up in all areas this offseason.

“Just her overall consistency, in her effort, in the way she’s talking, the way she’s coaching, the way she’s playing, has been a huge asset for us,” Payne said. “When she keeps that up, that will be huge for us.”

Smith came to CU a year ago after three seasons at Missouri. She was a key role player off the bench for the Tigers, averaging 6.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 2022-23. Last year, she filled a similar role for the Buffs, although didn’t play as much on a senior-laden team, finishing with 3.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

This year, Smith is expected to fill a bigger role with the Buffs, and she’s excited about it.

“It’s definitely an ego booster,” she said. “I’m also really thankful that the coaches are putting that trust in me, just mastering the things that they want me to be good at, and that’s hustle plays, getting those rebounds. I am really thankful that the coaches are now seeing that I’m being a bit more consistent, and I’m being that leading voice for the younger girls. I am one of those players that wants to lead this team and wants to build this group up.”

Smith had to build herself up first.

Although she was a key part of CU’s Sweet 16 team last season, it wasn’t an easy year for Smith, who adjusted to a new location, new team and new role.

“It didn’t really go exactly how I personally wanted to,” she said. “I had good moments and stuff like that … but I want this year to go well, but not just for me. I want it to go well for the team.”

That’s why stepping away was so important. Smith said she remained in Boulder and still went to classes, but got away from basketball.

“I was pretty much just living the life of a student without the athlete, pretty much,” she said.

Leaving her native Australia shortly after her 17th birthday, Smith has been living the student-athlete life for a while. That’s an intense life to live, especially for so long.

Payne and the CU staff understood what Smith needed and gave her space. Now she’s ready to roll.

“I’ve been super thankful that the coaches have supported me in doing that, and it is something I’m very grateful that I did,” she said. “I’m very thankful to myself, that I listened to myself, that I needed that time, and it has absolutely left me in a place now that I’m just ready to … let’s just play some basketball.”