Colorado University Athletics
KJ Simpson returns to Colorado on a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets.
Photo by: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Simpson To Nuggets, Walker Full Time With Sixers
February 19, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Two former Colorado men's basketball greats made NBA roster headlines Thursday as the league gears up for its post all-star break stretch run.
KJ Simpson signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets while Jabari Walker signed a standard contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Simpson, drafted by Charlotte in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft played in 50 games with the Hornets on a two-way contract over the last two seasons averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds. He saw action in 14 games this season, averaging 6.0 points, 2.5 assists and 2.1 rebounds.Â
A two-time All-Pac-12 Conference selection, Simpson finished his three-year Colorado career (2021-24) ranking ninth in assists (378), 11th in 3-pointers made (133), 13th in steals (129) and 15th in points (1,424) in program history. He had a season for the ages as a junior in 2023-24 as an NABC All-District and All-Pac-12 Conference First Team pick while earning honorable mention to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. Simpson led the Buffaloes to a school-record 26 wins and the 2024 NCAA Tournament averaging 19.7 points, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
Walker, who joined the 76ers on a two-way contract on July 5, 2025, has played in 45 games in 2025-26 averaging 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.1 per contest. He had a season-high 18 points on 5 of 10 shooting at Milwaukee on Dec. 5 and recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds against Washington on Dec. 2. Walker was a second round pick by Portland in 2022 and averaged 6.2 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 46.5 percent from the field in 188 games over three seasons with the Trail Blazers.Â
Walker averaged 11.5 points and 7.2 rebounds over 59 career games with the Buffaloes from 2020-22. A 2021-22 All-Pac-12 and All-District (USBWA & NABC) First Team selection, Walker led the Pac-12 in rebounding as a sophomore at 9.4 rebounds per game. He was a member of the 2020-21 Pac-12 All-Fresman Team, helping the Buffaloes to an NCAA Tournament berth.
KJ Simpson signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets while Jabari Walker signed a standard contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Simpson, drafted by Charlotte in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft played in 50 games with the Hornets on a two-way contract over the last two seasons averaging 7.3 points, 2.9 assists and 2.8 rebounds. He saw action in 14 games this season, averaging 6.0 points, 2.5 assists and 2.1 rebounds.Â
A two-time All-Pac-12 Conference selection, Simpson finished his three-year Colorado career (2021-24) ranking ninth in assists (378), 11th in 3-pointers made (133), 13th in steals (129) and 15th in points (1,424) in program history. He had a season for the ages as a junior in 2023-24 as an NABC All-District and All-Pac-12 Conference First Team pick while earning honorable mention to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team. Simpson led the Buffaloes to a school-record 26 wins and the 2024 NCAA Tournament averaging 19.7 points, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
Walker, who joined the 76ers on a two-way contract on July 5, 2025, has played in 45 games in 2025-26 averaging 3.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.1 per contest. He had a season-high 18 points on 5 of 10 shooting at Milwaukee on Dec. 5 and recorded his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds against Washington on Dec. 2. Walker was a second round pick by Portland in 2022 and averaged 6.2 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 46.5 percent from the field in 188 games over three seasons with the Trail Blazers.Â
Walker averaged 11.5 points and 7.2 rebounds over 59 career games with the Buffaloes from 2020-22. A 2021-22 All-Pac-12 and All-District (USBWA & NABC) First Team selection, Walker led the Pac-12 in rebounding as a sophomore at 9.4 rebounds per game. He was a member of the 2020-21 Pac-12 All-Fresman Team, helping the Buffaloes to an NCAA Tournament berth.
Basketball Coaches Show featuring Tad Boyle and JR Payne, Feb. 16, 2026.
Tuesday, February 17
Colorado Men's Basketball Postgame Press Conference at BYU | 2.14.26
Sunday, February 15
Colorado Men's Basketball Postgame Press Conference at Texas Tech | 211.26
Thursday, February 12
HIGHLIGHTS: Colorado Men's Basketball vs. Arizona State | 2.7.26
Sunday, February 08