Colorado Buffaloes Basketball: Colorado cleans up nicely in All-Pac-12 honors

The Colorado Buffaloes men’s basketball team cleaned up nicely this year in All-Pac-12 selections. Pac-12 rebound rebel Jabari Walker got the honor today everybody knew he would achieve. First team All-Pac-12. It comes as no surprise, he has been one of the most reliable players in college basketball. He comes from the blood of a long time NBA veteran, it won’t be long before he’s following his path to the NBA. 

The six-foot nine sophomore out of Inglewood, California has made a name for himself early in his career. He has doubled his averages between his freshman and sophomore seasons. In 2020 averaged 14 minutes and 7.6 points a game along with 4.3 rebounds. This season he averages nearly 28 minutes per game, 14.7 points and 9.4 rebounds. One of the most improved players in the Pac-12.

In 2020 Jabari made the All-Pac Freshman team. Really going above and beyond to the next step this year. One of the most exciting players you will get to see in the upcoming Pac-12 Tournament. He has scored over 20 points 5 times this season. Only having one game where he did not score double digits. Walker’s season high in rebounds was 15 which he’s done twice. His season high in points was 24 which he also accomplished twice. Walker has also led the Pac-12 in rebounds and double-doubles in his spectacular sophomore year.

Evan Battey has earned Second Team All-Pac-12 honors, and honorable mention to the All-Pac-12 defensive team. High honors for an incredible season by this Buff senior. Battey comes in at 12.2 points a game and 4.5 rebounds. Also shooting 50 percent from the field, and 52 percent at the three-point line. He has a total of 1264 career points and 649 rebounds in his illustrious career.

Battey is a six foot eight, 259 power forward that is always ready to do some damage on the court. Reigning from L.A., he started his career with Colorado in 2018. It has been a fun and thrilling ride with this guy for four seasons. He has only improved year after year for the Buffs, but his final season this year has outshined them all.

In Evan’s final game of the his senior year, for the regular season he scored a high of 27 points. Leading the way to route the Utes. It was one hell of a way to go out shortly after beating the No. 2 team in the nation Arizona. Battey’s legacy will live on in Boulder long after he is gone. Known as an incredibly selfless and one of the most beloved players on and off the court. This won’t be the end of the road for him, he said he one day hopes to come back to Boulder to coach. If he taught players how to be even half the man he is, the sky is the limit for the future of Colorado basketball.

Freshman guard K.J. Simpson was also given Pac-12 honors. Named to the All-Freshman team. Another award that came to no shock in the Pac-12. He averaged 7.2, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in his first year for the Buffs. He has scored double-digits 8 times this season, and his season and career best was a 19 point effort in a win against Cal. Simpson was also awarded Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honors twice this year. 

Colorado has had one of the strongest finishes in the NCAA to round out the 2021-2022 season. Now comes the big test, to play for all the marbles. The Buffs have an interesting week ahead of them and exciting one to see where they may fall for post-season play. They have a slim shot to become a bubble team for the NCAA tournament, and with these three playing at their best like they have been who knows? They could shock the world and win it all. This is March and crazier things have happened. Colorado’s journey starts this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET on the PACN.