Colorado basketball holds four freshmen to practice roles

Head coach Tad Boyle has designated four freshman players as practice squad members for the Colorado men's basketball team. The move creates a nine-player rotation for the season opener on Nov. 2, a date that marks the 10-day deadline before the Buffaloes host Abilene Christian. This lineup signals a shift from the previous year, when the team fielded a deeper roster across its games.

The current rotation consists of guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman, along with forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, and Goc Malual. David Gomez is also included in the primary group, though his playing time may be restricted while he recovers from foot surgery performed last year. In contrast to the 2025-26 season, when 11 players appeared in at least 20 games, the Buffs are expected to rely on a smaller core for most contests.

The four freshmen on the practice squad are forward Chase Hill, guards Amir Jones and Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen. Their paths to Boulder varied. Portela, a wing player from Phoenix, signed with the program in November 2025. The other three joined the roster as late additions last spring. Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 forward from the Midwest, played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire before his recruiting prospects slowed after a torn ACL.

Hill comes from a basketball family. His father holds the record for most wins in Division III women's basketball at Trinity University in San Antonio. His grandfather, Bob Hill, was a longtime NBA coach who helped recruit Tad Boyle to Kansas 45 years ago. Jones, who initially signed with Georgia State, reopened his recruiting process following a coaching change there.

The freshmen view their current status as a period for growth rather than a permanent limitation. Hill stated his goal is simply to develop, noting that he could have started at a Division III school and transferred later, but chose Colorado for a longer development timeline. Jacobsen acknowledged the difficulty of accepting a limited role but said he is focused on working hard every day to earn minutes.

Boyle described the situation as fluid, emphasizing that the players are young and capable but lack consistency. He noted that Jones performed well in practice on Friday, and that Jacobsen and Hill have also shown good work. The coach expects their standing in December to differ from their position in October, urging them to stay mentally prepared for any call-up.

The team will begin its campaign against Abilene Christian on Nov. 2. The four practice squad players will continue to train with the group, providing support to a roster that aims to compete in the Big 12 with a leaner lineup than the previous season.