Returning Colorado Freshmen Deliver Message to Buffaloes Fans

Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, and Josiah Sanders will be back in Boulder next season

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:04pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the action and movement of a college basketball game, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette representing the energy and potential of Colorado's young core.The returning Colorado trio of Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, and Josiah Sanders aim to lead the Buffaloes' resurgence through their energy, toughness, and talent.Denver Today

The Colorado Buffaloes have seen eight players from their 2025-26 team enter the transfer portal this offseason, but three key freshmen - Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, and Josiah Sanders - have announced they will be returning to Boulder for their sophomore seasons. The trio shared messages of excitement to 'run it back' and continue building the program.

Why it matters

With Colorado losing many of its top scorers to the transfer portal, the return of these three freshmen provides a much-needed boost of experience and talent for the Buffaloes as they aim to snap a two-year NCAA Tournament drought. Head coach Tad Boyle praised the trio's toughness, energy, and work ethic as key attributes that will help the team next season.

The details

Jalin Holland, a 6-5, 200-pound guard, averaged 4.9 points and 2.7 rebounds as a freshman. Ian Inman, a 6-6, 200-pound guard, averaged 4.1 points. Josiah Sanders, a 6-5, 210-pound guard, averaged 4.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. All three players signed with Colorado as part of the 2025 recruiting class, with Holland and Sanders being four-star recruits.

  • Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, and Josiah Sanders announced their return for the 2026-27 season in April 2026.

The players

Jalin Holland

A 6-5, 200-pound guard who averaged 4.9 points and 2.7 rebounds as a freshman for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2025-26.

Ian Inman

A 6-6, 200-pound guard who averaged 4.1 points as a freshman for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2025-26.

Josiah Sanders

A 6-5, 210-pound guard who averaged 4.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists as a freshman for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2025-26.

Tad Boyle

The head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball team, who praised the returning freshmen's toughness, energy, and work ethic.

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What they’re saying

“Excited to run it back next year. Let's go Buffs.”

— Jalin Holland, Guard

“Buff nation, let's run it back in Boulder and pack out the CU Events Center next year. Go Buffs.”

— Ian Inman, Guard

“What's up Buff nation? I appreciate ya'll loving and supporting me throughout my freshman year and I'm excited to stay in my home state and run it back for year two.”

— Josiah Sanders, Guard

“When I think of those three together, I think of toughness. I think of the improvement they made over the course of the season and the togetherness they have. Their toughness, energy, and work ethic, when you have those attributes to go along with talent, which they all have, you get a chance to have three really good sophomores next year.”

— Tad Boyle, Head Coach

What’s next

Colorado will aim to build on the returning trio of Holland, Inman, and Sanders as they look to snap a two-year NCAA Tournament drought next season.

The takeaway

Despite losing several key players to the transfer portal, Colorado's retention of these three talented freshmen provides a strong foundation for the Buffaloes to potentially bounce back and return to the NCAA Tournament in 2026-27.