BuffsBeat’s Josh Tolle believes Coach Prime isn’t going to let Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic go on without knowing what “Prime Time” means; especially considering the proximity from the Mile High City to Boulder.
“Despite Jokic not knowing much about Sanders, I’m sure that’s all about to change,” Tolle prefaced before saying, “Coach Prime once had NBA-type talent and was offered a chance to play for the Atlanta Hawks in the early 90s. I know Sanders will be reaching out to meet the All-Star at some point in the near future.”
Jokic calmly rebutted reporters’ questions at Nuggets Media Day on October 2 about whether or not he was familiar with Deion Sanders with a guilty “No, sorry.”
Coach Prime effect will reach who it needs to: recruits
Jokic not knowing Coach Prime has almost everything to do with the Serbian superstar’s lack of interest in American culture and nothing to do with the reach of the former two-sport superstar.
Regardless of whether or not Jokic knows who Sanders is, though, Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde believes recruits will know not only Coach Prime’s name, but they’ll be fully aware of his game in the coming years.
“At least five four-star or five-star recruits from the classes of 2024 and ’25 were expected to be at the game, plus a handful of Class of ’26 standouts who haven’t yet been rated,” Forde prefaced before saying, “Then there’s the transfer portal. Sanders isn’t going to restock in bulk there the way he did last year, but rest assured the Buffs will be active and successful in landing proven college players.”
Ultimately, reeling in recruits, be it in the transfer portal or out of high school, is Colorado’s most important thing. It’s nice to have celebrities show up at Folsom Field after years of half-empty stadiums, but a legitimate recruiting future for the Buffs will keep them coming.