Zyanna Walker Named to 2026 All-Big 12 Women’s Basketball Preseason Team
October 08, 2026 | Women's Basketball
The Buffs were picked to finish eighth in the 2026 Big 12 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
IRVING, Texas – Colorado Women's Basketball senior guard Zyanna Walker was named to the 10-player 2026 Preseason All-Big 12 Women's Basketball Preseason Team, the conference announced on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Walker played in all 34 games during the 2025-26 season and started in 28 of those contests. She led Colorado in steals with 70 total, averaging 2.0 per game, and ranked third in the Big 12. The Wichita, Kan. native averaged 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game during her first season in Boulder. The senior guard registered one double-double last season against Kansas State with 13 points and 10 rebounds (Jan. 29). At the end of the year, she was named to both the Big 12 All-Defensive Team and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
As a team, the Buffs were selected to finish eighth in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The poll and preseason honors were determined by the Big 12 head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own teams or players. This year's preseason team consists of 10 student-athletes from eight schools. Kansas and Oklahoma State led, each with two selected players. The 2026 Big 12 Basketball Preseason Player of the Year went to Oklahoma State's Audi Crooks, Preseason Newcomer of the Year went to Oklahoma State's Liv McGill, and Preseason Freshman of the Year went to TCU's Jessie-May Hall.
Colorado enters the 2026-27 season with a talented blend of seven newcomers and seven returning players. The Buffs welcomed five transfers in Brooke Walker (Utah), Mecailin Marshall (Tulane), Anete Adler (Boston University), Kira Reynolds (UT-Arlington) and Aniya' Foy (Kansas State). The two freshmen include forward Cail Jahnke (Minneapolis, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) and guard Lauren Harris (Yuba City, Calif./Faith Christian).
CU opens the 2025-26 season with an exhibition game against Adams State on Oct. 27 before opening regular season play at home against Morgan State on Nov. 4.
Fans can view the full schedule below and online HERE. Season tickets for the 2026-27 Colorado women's basketball season are on sale now, with single-game tickets to be announced at a later date. Click HERE to get your season tickets and four-game mini plans today!
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Oklahoma State (7) – 215 points
2. TCU (6) – 212 points
3. Baylor (2) – 199 points
4. West Virginia (1) – 186 points
5. Kansas – 160 points
6. Arizona State – 143 points
7. BYU – 137 points
8. Colorado – 126 points
9. K-State – 121 points
10. Texas Tech – 103 points
11. Iowa State – 78 points
12. Utah – 77 points
13. Arizona – 55 points
14. Cincinnati – 43 points
15. Houston – 38 points
16. UCF – 27 points
(first-place votes)
Preseason Player of the Year
Audi Crooks, Oklahoma State
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Liv McGill, Oklahoma State
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Jessie-May Hall, TCU
Preseason All-Big 12 Team
McKinna Brackens, Arizona State
Taliah Scott, Baylor*
Delaney Gibb, BYU*
Zyanna Walker, Colorado
Jaliya Davis, Kansas
S'Mya Nichols, Kansas*
Audi Crooks, Oklahoma State*
Liv McGill, Oklahoma State
Clara Silva, TCU
Gia Gooke, West Virginia
Players are sorted alphabetically by school
*indicates unanimous selection
Head Coach JR Payne is entering her 11th season at the helm of Colorado Women's Basketball. During her 10th season, the Buffs finished the season 22-12 and 11-7 against conference opponents. CU collected four top-25 wins during the 2025-26 campaign, against then-No. 19 Iowa State, 68-62, in Boulder (Jan. 14); at home over then-No. 14 TCU, 80-79 (Feb. 8); another home victory against then-No. 20 Texas Tech, 75-68 (Feb. 21); and a Big 12 quarterfinal-win over then-No. 20 Baylor, 62-53 (Mar. 6). The Buffaloes advanced to their fourth Big 12 semifinal game in program history, but ultimately fell short to No.15/two-seeded West Virginia (48-47). CU earned the 10th seed in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball tournament, but fell to seventh-seeded Illinois, 66-57, in the first round. At the conclusion of the regular season, four Buffs earned All-Big 12 honors for their performances on the court: Jade Masogayo (All-Big 12 Second Team); Zyanna Walker (All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and All-Big 12 Defensive Team); Logyn Greer (All-Big 12 Freshman Team); and Desiree Wooten (All-Big 12 Honorable Mention).
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.
Walker played in all 34 games during the 2025-26 season and started in 28 of those contests. She led Colorado in steals with 70 total, averaging 2.0 per game, and ranked third in the Big 12. The Wichita, Kan. native averaged 11.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game during her first season in Boulder. The senior guard registered one double-double last season against Kansas State with 13 points and 10 rebounds (Jan. 29). At the end of the year, she was named to both the Big 12 All-Defensive Team and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
As a team, the Buffs were selected to finish eighth in the Big 12 Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The poll and preseason honors were determined by the Big 12 head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own teams or players. This year's preseason team consists of 10 student-athletes from eight schools. Kansas and Oklahoma State led, each with two selected players. The 2026 Big 12 Basketball Preseason Player of the Year went to Oklahoma State's Audi Crooks, Preseason Newcomer of the Year went to Oklahoma State's Liv McGill, and Preseason Freshman of the Year went to TCU's Jessie-May Hall.
Colorado enters the 2026-27 season with a talented blend of seven newcomers and seven returning players. The Buffs welcomed five transfers in Brooke Walker (Utah), Mecailin Marshall (Tulane), Anete Adler (Boston University), Kira Reynolds (UT-Arlington) and Aniya' Foy (Kansas State). The two freshmen include forward Cail Jahnke (Minneapolis, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville) and guard Lauren Harris (Yuba City, Calif./Faith Christian).
CU opens the 2025-26 season with an exhibition game against Adams State on Oct. 27 before opening regular season play at home against Morgan State on Nov. 4.
Fans can view the full schedule below and online HERE. Season tickets for the 2026-27 Colorado women's basketball season are on sale now, with single-game tickets to be announced at a later date. Click HERE to get your season tickets and four-game mini plans today!
Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Oklahoma State (7) – 215 points
2. TCU (6) – 212 points
3. Baylor (2) – 199 points
4. West Virginia (1) – 186 points
5. Kansas – 160 points
6. Arizona State – 143 points
7. BYU – 137 points
8. Colorado – 126 points
9. K-State – 121 points
10. Texas Tech – 103 points
11. Iowa State – 78 points
12. Utah – 77 points
13. Arizona – 55 points
14. Cincinnati – 43 points
15. Houston – 38 points
16. UCF – 27 points
(first-place votes)
Preseason Player of the Year
Audi Crooks, Oklahoma State
Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Liv McGill, Oklahoma State
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Jessie-May Hall, TCU
Preseason All-Big 12 Team
McKinna Brackens, Arizona State
Taliah Scott, Baylor*
Delaney Gibb, BYU*
Zyanna Walker, Colorado
Jaliya Davis, Kansas
S'Mya Nichols, Kansas*
Audi Crooks, Oklahoma State*
Liv McGill, Oklahoma State
Clara Silva, TCU
Gia Gooke, West Virginia
Players are sorted alphabetically by school
*indicates unanimous selection
Head Coach JR Payne is entering her 11th season at the helm of Colorado Women's Basketball. During her 10th season, the Buffs finished the season 22-12 and 11-7 against conference opponents. CU collected four top-25 wins during the 2025-26 campaign, against then-No. 19 Iowa State, 68-62, in Boulder (Jan. 14); at home over then-No. 14 TCU, 80-79 (Feb. 8); another home victory against then-No. 20 Texas Tech, 75-68 (Feb. 21); and a Big 12 quarterfinal-win over then-No. 20 Baylor, 62-53 (Mar. 6). The Buffaloes advanced to their fourth Big 12 semifinal game in program history, but ultimately fell short to No.15/two-seeded West Virginia (48-47). CU earned the 10th seed in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball tournament, but fell to seventh-seeded Illinois, 66-57, in the first round. At the conclusion of the regular season, four Buffs earned All-Big 12 honors for their performances on the court: Jade Masogayo (All-Big 12 Second Team); Zyanna Walker (All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and All-Big 12 Defensive Team); Logyn Greer (All-Big 12 Freshman Team); and Desiree Wooten (All-Big 12 Honorable Mention).
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.
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