Colorado Buffaloes Women's Basketball Loses Star To Season-Ending Injury

Over the past 14 months, health has eluded Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball. That will continue until at least next fall.

According to a Wednesday report by the Daily Camera's Brian Howell, redshirt sophomore point guard Kennedy Sanders will undergo season-ending hip surgery. She appeared in 10 of Colorado's 13 games thus far, starting all of them and averaging 9.9 points and 2.2 assists, but hadn't played since Dec. 14.

Kennedy Sanders Out For Season

Mar 7, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guard Una Jovanovic (5) handles the ball while defended by Colorado Buffaloes guard Kennedy Sanders (2) during the first quarter at T-Mobile Center. | Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

Sanders' injuries, which include a torn labrum and hip impingement, stem from offseason conditioning last August. She pushed through them throughout the Buffaloes' non-conference slate, but they've proven too much to overcome.

“It's a huge loss for the basketball play, but also for just sort of the calm that she brings to all of us,” coach JR Payne told Howell. “On the court, she’s been a huge asset to her younger teammates. They all love her and respect her, not just because she’s a good player, but because of the person that she is."

It's the second long-term injury Sanders has suffered over three seasons in Boulder, as a broken foot deleted her chance at a freshman year. She is expected to apply for a medical redshirt and return for the 2026-27 season.

“I’m definitely just excited to not be in pain,” Sanders said. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve not been in pain. It’s been so long. I’m used to it.”

Mar 7, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Kennedy Sanders (2) shoots the ball while defended by TCU Horned Frogs forward Aaliyah Roberson (23) during the fourth quarter at T-Mobile Center. | Amy Kontras-Imagn Images

Payne did what she could to mitigate Sanders' ailments, as she played a combined 17 minutes against Portland State and Boise State and sat against VCU to avoid playing on back-to-back days.

She scored double digits four times this season, including a career-high 19 points against UT Arlington. Sanders also led qualified Buffs at the free-throw line (84.6 percent) and was second in 3-point percentage (32.1). Her struggles were as a distributor, leading Colorado with 2.5 turnovers per game.

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But while her offense was still developing, she made great strides on defense. Sanders swiped three or more steals four times (1.9 on average), including a career-high of five.

Last season, Sanders appeared in 29 of Colorado's 34 games (started one) and averaged 4.9 points and 2.3 assists. She emerged in Big 12 Championship bouts with Arizona (14 points) and TCU (11 points) to secure a greater role, but her ascent has once again been pushed aside.

“I’m excited to move into a new role and just be there for my teammates,” Sanders said. “I’ve been here for three years now, so there’s definitely some insight I can give … It’ll be different, but I definitely want to be around the girls.”

Buffs In Trouble To Begin Big 12 Play

Louisville’s Skylar Jones tries to make a shot at the 1st quarter buzzer against Colorado’s Claire O'Connor Wednesday night at KFC Yum! Center. November 12, 2025 | Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The loss of Sanders is a major hit as Colorado (9-4, 0-1 Big 12) still figures things out for conference play. The Buffaloes lost their Big 12 opener to Arizona State last Sunday, their third loss in seven games.

Shooting and ball security have stymied Payne's squad, causing several preventable losses. Colorado is shooting just 26 percent from 3-point range, second-worst among Big 12 teams, and is averaging 16.7 turnovers per game.

Sanders' absence will be another hit to their long-distance woes, but the Buffaloes are expecting back guard Claire O'Connor, who has missed nearly a month with an undisclosed foot injury. The Gonzaga transfer is a career 40.7 percent 3-point shooter.

Still, Colorado is its conference's second-worst defensive rebounding squad and ranks fourth-to-last in assists. Contributions from forward Jade Masogayo, along with guards Desiree Wooten and Zyanna Walker, must improve if the Buffs want to return to the NCAA Tournament this March.