Sophomore Jaylyn Sherrod (Soc鈥�23) is CU women鈥檚 basketball鈥檚 first鈥揺ver player from Alabama. Named CU鈥檚 Most Improved player and selected for the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, the 5'7" Birmingham native reflects on leading as a point guard, choosing the Buffs and communicating on and off the court.听
You became the Buffs鈥� starting point guard after six games last year. What was it like directing the offense as a first-year player?听
It was tough having to learn so much. But at the same time, it was an experience that I needed, and it helped me grow as a player and as a person more than anything.
What were the biggest takeaways from your first year?听
Learning how to lead, be more vocal and communicate with my teammates and coaches to get us all on the same page. We all have different personalities. It was figuring out how to get the best out of each person on the team.
How did offseason training go for you?听
When I got home, I worked out with my trainer. I met him when I was in ninth grade. I went to Florida with him a couple of times and worked with [Saints quarterback] Jameis Winston. With the [CU] team, it was Zoom. We did a lot of calls, a lot of film sessions, trying to find ways to learn, even though we couldn鈥檛 be training in person.听
Did you ever play basketball with Jameis?听
We did play. It was me and a couple of my old teammates and a couple of guys who we worked out with. There鈥檚 video out there. If you lost, you had to run. We won, so that was good.
What鈥檚 something you make sure to do when you鈥檙e in Birmingham?听
I eat at places that I don鈥檛 get the chance to eat at up here. A place called Granny鈥檚, a food truck. They do shrimp and grits, and it鈥檚 really, really good. There鈥檚 a line down the street.
You鈥檙e the first player in program history from Alabama. Why did you choose CU?听
Because they were really invested. They showed the most interest in getting to know me and not just me, but also my family and the people around me. I'm not a fan of the snow, but I love the people. I love the atmosphere. I love the energy.
Can you share something you鈥檝e learned from Coach JR Payne?听
I told Coach, 鈥業 don鈥檛 know how you do it.鈥� It seems so stressful to be a second mom to 16 girls on the team and have her own children. It鈥檚 the mental toughness of all the coaches really, because they have their own lives and families, too.
Why did you change your number from 1to00overthe offseason?
听In high school, I did the same thing. I really grew asaleaderandasa communicator on my high school team. And I saw myself doing that as a sophomore here. I thought: why not remind myself what I went through and how I came up out of it?
Junior Lesila Finau (Psych鈥�22) began last season as the starting point guard. This season, you鈥檙e both starters in the same backcourt. How does that work?听
It has made it a lot easier for our offense because it puts in another ball handler. You have basically two point guards out on the floor. Sila brings a lot to this team.
How do you stay in control?听
That鈥檚 what I bring to the table. My job is to bring energy and just do what I do because I'm not 6'4." I鈥檝e gotten a lot better at how to change speeds at times.听
You鈥檙e known to say, 鈥淚t鈥檚 will over skill.鈥� What motivates you?听
My will is what got me here, the intangibles. I don鈥檛 need to score 30 points. I don't need to have a great three-point percentage. Honestly, so many people now get lost in having more skill instead of that fight, that toughness and that grit.
What鈥檚 one thing Buffs fans would be surprised to learn about you?听
I am a nerd. I like Greek mythology and Shakespeare. I have a tattoo from Shakespeare on me. When I have free time, I鈥檓 normally reading a book. It鈥檚 crazy because I really do not like school.听
INTERVIEW BY ANDREW DAIGLE. CONDENSED AND EDITED.听
