The University of Colorado has five alumni (six including Nique Clifford) currently competing in the NBA plus one who is in the WNBA. One of those players also competed at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.
Tristan Da Silva – A rarity in college basketball these days, Da Silva played all four years during his collegiate career as a Buff, averaging 16.0 ppg his last two seasons. Drafted by the Orlando Magic, he started half the games his rookie season in helping the team to the playoffs. Became a starter a month ago but then was injured right before his one game of the year back in Colorado. This year he is averaging 9.7 points per game.
KJ Simpson – A three-year letterwinner at CU, Simpson made 133 three-point field goals in his collegiate career while averaging 14.6 ppg. A draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets two years ago, he has played in about half of the Hornets’ games. This year he played in just eight of Charlotte’s first 21 games, but now has seen time in six consecutive games including a pair of starts and is averaging 7.3 ppg on the year.
Jabari Walker – spent two years at Colorado, averaging 11.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game over his career. Walker played for the Portland Trailblazers for his first three seasons in the league, starting in 24 games in that period, and this season is playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. After starting five games early in the season, Walker has been coming off the bench as of late. He is averaging 4.6 ppg on 45.2% FG and 34.3% 3pt-FG shooting this season.
Cody Williams – played one season at CU and is now in his second year with the Utah Jazz. Last year he started 21 games but this year has seen diminished playing time, appearing in about half of Utah’s games so far.
Derrick White – began his career playing three seasons at University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, where he was the program’s first ever All-American, then he averaged 18.1 ppg while shooting 50.7% FG and 39.6% 3pt-FG in his one season at CU. White is now playing in his 9th year in the NBA, splitting his time between the San Antonio Spurs and now the Boston Celtics. He is the second leading scorer (17.8 ppg) while also receiving recognition for his defensive prowess, finishing in the top 10 for Defensive Player of the Year the past two seasons, including in 2023-24 when he won a ring as the Celtics won the title.
Jaylyn Sherrod – played five seasons at CU, averaging 10.6 points, 4.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds. As a rookie she played in 10 regular season games and two playoff games on the New York Liberty, who won the league championship. This season she started with the Liberty but now plays for the Minnesota Lynx, the team that is currently in first place in the WNBA.
One Colorado State player is currently on an NBA roster.
Nique Clifford – played three seasons at Colorado and his final two at Colorado State. At CSU he averaged 15.6 points and 8.6 rebounds. A first round pick by the defending NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder, he was traded on draft night to the Sacramento Kings. Clifford is fighting for playing time on a team with some veteran shooting guards on the roster. He is averaging 4.3 points per game in his nearly 17 minutes of action per contest.
The University of Denver has one player who is currently on an NBA roster.
Royce O’Neal – played his first two seasons at the University of Denver before transferring to Baylor. As a Pioneer he averaged 10.6 points and 5.7 rebounds. O’Neal spent his first five NBA seasons with the Utah Jazz, where he was a starter his last three seasons there. He then played for the Brooklyn Nets for 1.5 seasons and now is in his third year with the Phoenix Suns. O’Neal has started all but five games this year and is averaging a career-best 10.5 points per game while shooting a career high 41.3% three-point FG.
