Four Colorado Rookies Start Season on Practice Squad

Four Colorado freshmen will not play in the regular season opener against Abilene Christian on Nov. 2. Instead, forward Chase Hill, guards Amir Jones and Rider Portela, and forward Eric Jacobsen have been assigned to practice roles for the 2026-27 campaign.

The decision narrows the game rotation to nine players. Head coach Tad Boyle expects guards Barrington Hargress, Alex Dickeson, Jalin Holland, Josiah Sanders, and Ian Inman to form the backcourt. Forwards Justin Neely, Noah Feddersen, Goc Malual, and David Gomez will fill the frontcourt. Gomez may see limited minutes while recovering from foot surgery performed a year ago.

This structure marks a sharp departure from last season. The Buffaloes finished 2025-26 with a 17-16 record and a 7-11 mark in the Big 12. That team utilized 11 players in at least 20 games and relied on seven different starters. This season, the roster depth is shallower, and the coaching staff has chosen stability over constant shuffling.

The four practice players arrived at Boulder through different paths. Portela, a wing from Phoenix, signed with the program last November. Jones, Hill, and Jacobsen joined the roster as late additions last spring. Jacobsen, a 6-foot-1 post from the Midwest, played at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire after a torn ACL slowed his recruiting. Hill comes from a basketball family, with a father who is the all-time winningest women’s coach at Division III Trinity University and a grandfather, Bob, who was a longtime NBA coach.

Hill described his immediate goal as simple development. He noted he could have started at Division III to achieve the same result but chose to come to Colorado first to grow over four or five years. Jacobsen acknowledged the difficulty of accepting a limited role early on. He said he is trying to earn what he can while going as hard as possible every single day.

Boyle emphasized that the situation is fluid. He pointed to strong practices by Jones, Hill, and Jacobsen this week. The coach stated that the players have the capability but lack the consistency of more seasoned teammates. He told the group to prepare mentally so they are ready when called upon, noting their standing in December could differ significantly from October.

The Buffaloes begin their 17th season under Boyle on Nov. 2. The four freshmen will work in practice daily, serving as a third five for a team looking to compete in the Big 12.