Colorado University Athletics
Photo by: Serena Rodriguez
Newcomer Spotlight Series: Erianna Gooden
October 24, 2025 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER - The Colorado Women's Basketball team added 10 new players to the roster ahead of the 2025-26 season. In order to get to know them all a little better, we're introducing the Newcomer Spotlight Series to highlight the five freshmen and five transfers on our squad.Â
First up is freshman guard Erianna Gooden from Fort Smith, Ark.Â
What was it like growing up in Arkansas with four siblings?
It was pretty boring. In Arkansas, especially in Fort Smith, there's not really anything to do. You sit around, and then you go to McDonald's or Taco Bell.
Did you hang out with your siblings a lot?
My older brother is five years older, my older sister is four years older, then I have a twin sister. This is actually our first time ever being apart – going to college – and then I have a little brother. He's just a year younger, so we hung out a lot, but my older siblings were always off doing their own thing.
In high school, you competed in football, track and field, wrestling and basketball. What was it like balancing all of those sports together?
Honestly, since I was having so much fun, it wasn't that bad. I just love sports, so it made it simpler – loving what you do.
What drew you to basketball out of all the other sports that you played?
I'm best at basketball, and I love basketball probably the most. I love watching football, but playing basketball, there's really nothing else like it.
Do you like watching college or NFL football more?
I would probably pick college over NFL, and college is getting more exciting as it goes on.
You won state, then the state MVP and then Arkansas Player of the Year. What was it like to have all of that happen?
Really, really exciting. I only went to state one time in high school, and being able to share that with my teammates and with my coach, and be able to give them that … I owe most of my success to my coaches and my teammates.
Why did you choose to come to CU?
Coach. That's why I chose CU. She's amazing.
How do you like living in Colorado?
I like it. The air here is nice. It's fresh. You've got a nice view everywhere you go. The weather's nice. I have horrible allergies, and my allergies haven't been that bad. No complaints!
Who do you look up to on the team?
I look up probably to Kennedy [Sanders], Maeve [McErlane] and A.D. [Anaëlle Dutat]. They've all been in the game the longest. Kennedy's been here the longest at CU, and then Maeve, she just has a lot of experience, and she knows the game. And then A.D., she is very calm, cool and collected. All three of those players make for a great role model.
You said you like to read. Do you have any favorite books or genres?
My favorite genre is probably fantasy, sci-fi, those types of things. My favorite collection of books is the Harry Potter series. I have all of them. I read them early on. I love the Harry Potter movies, too.
You also said you like to cook. Do you have anything specifically that you like to cook?
I really like making breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite meal, whether it's 2 a.m. or it's 9 a.m. Breakfast is the best meal. No one will convince me otherwise.
You listed your favorite snack as Cakesters. Have you ever tried making them at home?
I've never tried. I love some Cakesters. You just reminded me, I've got some at home.
"Murder With My Husband" is your favorite podcast. Why is it your favorite? Do you listen to any other podcasts?
I really like podcasts in general, but especially [podcasts] about true crime. True crime podcasts are really good. That one ["Murder With My Husband"], she's telling the story and her husband doesn't know what happened in the case, so she's telling him and us, and he's giving his reaction. And they kind of work through it together. My parents started before me, and they put me o,n so it's great. There's another one that I listen to, it's another true crime podcast. It's with three women. I can't think of the name, but I really love true crime podcasts.
Do you have anything else you want people to know about you?
Just a fun fact: I can pick up a lot of things with my toes!
For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.
First up is freshman guard Erianna Gooden from Fort Smith, Ark.Â
What was it like growing up in Arkansas with four siblings?
It was pretty boring. In Arkansas, especially in Fort Smith, there's not really anything to do. You sit around, and then you go to McDonald's or Taco Bell.
Did you hang out with your siblings a lot?
My older brother is five years older, my older sister is four years older, then I have a twin sister. This is actually our first time ever being apart – going to college – and then I have a little brother. He's just a year younger, so we hung out a lot, but my older siblings were always off doing their own thing.
In high school, you competed in football, track and field, wrestling and basketball. What was it like balancing all of those sports together?
Honestly, since I was having so much fun, it wasn't that bad. I just love sports, so it made it simpler – loving what you do.
What drew you to basketball out of all the other sports that you played?
I'm best at basketball, and I love basketball probably the most. I love watching football, but playing basketball, there's really nothing else like it.
Do you like watching college or NFL football more?
I would probably pick college over NFL, and college is getting more exciting as it goes on.
You won state, then the state MVP and then Arkansas Player of the Year. What was it like to have all of that happen?
Really, really exciting. I only went to state one time in high school, and being able to share that with my teammates and with my coach, and be able to give them that … I owe most of my success to my coaches and my teammates.
Why did you choose to come to CU?
Coach. That's why I chose CU. She's amazing.
How do you like living in Colorado?
I like it. The air here is nice. It's fresh. You've got a nice view everywhere you go. The weather's nice. I have horrible allergies, and my allergies haven't been that bad. No complaints!
Who do you look up to on the team?
I look up probably to Kennedy [Sanders], Maeve [McErlane] and A.D. [Anaëlle Dutat]. They've all been in the game the longest. Kennedy's been here the longest at CU, and then Maeve, she just has a lot of experience, and she knows the game. And then A.D., she is very calm, cool and collected. All three of those players make for a great role model.
You said you like to read. Do you have any favorite books or genres?
My favorite genre is probably fantasy, sci-fi, those types of things. My favorite collection of books is the Harry Potter series. I have all of them. I read them early on. I love the Harry Potter movies, too.
You also said you like to cook. Do you have anything specifically that you like to cook?
I really like making breakfast. Breakfast is my favorite meal, whether it's 2 a.m. or it's 9 a.m. Breakfast is the best meal. No one will convince me otherwise.
You listed your favorite snack as Cakesters. Have you ever tried making them at home?
I've never tried. I love some Cakesters. You just reminded me, I've got some at home.
"Murder With My Husband" is your favorite podcast. Why is it your favorite? Do you listen to any other podcasts?
I really like podcasts in general, but especially [podcasts] about true crime. True crime podcasts are really good. That one ["Murder With My Husband"], she's telling the story and her husband doesn't know what happened in the case, so she's telling him and us, and he's giving his reaction. And they kind of work through it together. My parents started before me, and they put me o,n so it's great. There's another one that I listen to, it's another true crime podcast. It's with three women. I can't think of the name, but I really love true crime podcasts.
Do you have anything else you want people to know about you?
Just a fun fact: I can pick up a lot of things with my toes!
For more information on the Colorado women's basketball team, a complete schedule and results, please visit CUBuffs.com. Fans of the Buffs can follow the team on Instagram and on Twitter @CUBuffsWBB.
Players Mentioned
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