Isaiah Johnson Within Reach of Celebrated Colorado Men's Basketball Record

Only 83 points now separate guard Isaiah Johnson from breaking Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball's freshman scoring record.

Feb 14, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Isaiah Johnson (2) of the Colorado Buffaloes dribbles the ball during the second half against the BYU Cougars at the Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images | Aaron Baker-Imagn Images

If he can stay healthy and continue producing at a high rate, guard Isaiah Johnson will soon break a Colorado men's basketball record that has stood for 16 years.

After scoring a career-high 27 points in Saturday's overtime loss to the No. 22 BYU Cougars, the rookie from California now owns 430 points on the year, placing him fifth on Colorado's all-time freshman single-season scoring list. Alec Burks, whose jersey was added to the CU Events Center's Wall of Honor last month, holds the record with 512 points (2009-10).

Jan 25, 2011; Boulder,CO,USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Alec Burks (10) drives to the basket during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at the Coors Events Center. The Jayhawks defeated the Buffaloes 82-78. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

With five regular season matchups remaining before the Big 12 Tournament, Johnson has at least six games to score the 83 points required to break Burks' record. The math has Johnson needing to average 13.8 points per game; he's currently netting 16.5.

On Saturday, coach Tad Boyle shared his belief that Johnson has the talent to follow in Burks' NBA footsteps.

"Isaiah Johnson is the best freshman in the country that nobody talks about," Boyle said, per CUBuffs.com. "I believe he'll be an NBA player someday."

Colorado Men's Basketball's Freshman Scoring Record

Feb 14, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Isaiah Johnson (2) of the Colorado Buffaloes drives while being defended by BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) during the second half at the Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images | Aaron Baker-Imagn Images

Johnson is now only 24 points away from tying recent graduate McKinley Wright IV for fourth on Colorado's freshman single-season scoring list. Another 11 points after that sits Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups.

1. Alec Burks, 512 (2009-10)
2. Richard Roby, 480 (2004-05)
3. Chauncey Billups, 465 (1995-96)
4. McKinley Wright IV, 454 (2017-18)
5. Isaiah Johnson, 430 (2025-26)

Other standout freshmen Johnson has passed include Emmett Lewis (389), Spencer Dinwiddie (360), Cody Williams (286) and Andre Roberson (256).

Feb 4, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Isaiah Johnson (2) shoots against Baylor Bears center Caden Powell (44) and guard Tounde Yessoufou (24) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

"He's obviously undersized, but he's got the heart of a lion," Boyle said, per KSL Sports. "He can finish with contact. He missed some shots tonight that he normally makes, but I'll go to war with him."

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Johnson hit a career-high 10 field goals against BYU and is now shooting 49 percent on the season, including 38.1 percent from deep. He has scored at least 10 points in all but two games this season.

Zay had a day.

✅ career-high 27 points
✅ 430 points this season puts him top 5 in scoring by a freshman in team history@isaiahj___ pic.twitter.com/zA47PAUWDY

— Colorado Men's Basketball (@CUBuffsMBB) February 15, 2026

Colorado fell to 14-12 overall and 4-9 in Big 12 play following its sixth straight road loss on Saturday.

“We had a team meeting, just with the players. We just talked about certain things we needed to get done,” Johnson said, per BuffZone. “We talked about all week holding each other accountable, being able to play hard and play with Colorado on our chests and not the name on the back.”

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Isaiah Johnson's Path to 513

Feb 4, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Isaiah Johnson (2) controls the ball against Baylor Bears guard Isaac Williams (10) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images | Chris Jones-Imagn Images

A wild tear isn't necessary for Johnson to break Burks' scoring record. While scoring won't come easy against No. 3 Houston and No. 1 Arizona, Johnson and the Buffs have three maneagable regular season matchups ahead against Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Utah.

Colorado will first host Oklahoma State on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. MT.