Senior day typically brings a fair amount of emotions as players see the end of a significant chapter of their lives coming to a close.
For Frida Formann, there’s an extra layer of emotions, not only because of what she’s done during her time with the Colorado women’s basketball team, but because of what she hasn’t been able to do this season.
One of the best shooters in program history, Formann and five other seniors will be honored on Wednesday night when the Buffs take on Arizona State at the CU Events Center. Unless the Buffs miss the NCAA Tournament and host some games in the WBIT, Wednesday will be the final home game for the group.
“It’s something I’ve seen now four times, my seniors go through,” said Formann, a fifth-year senior. “So it’s so weird that it’s now my turn, but it’s also really exciting. It’s very emotional, obviously, just because I’ve played so many games here and poured so much into this place. I think I’m just excited to have that ceremony, and round it out in a good way.”
Formann, who hasn’t played since Jan. 29 because of a stress fracture in her foot, is the longest-tenured player on the team. Fourth-year senior Kindyll Wetta, who along with Formann helped CU to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments, will also be honored, as will four seniors who came to CU as transfers.
Sara-Rose Smith, a transfer from Missouri, joined the Buffs before the 2023-24 season. Nyamer Diew (Iowa State transfer), Lior Garzon (Oklahoma State) and Johanna Teder (Washington State) are closing their careers and their lone seasons in Boulder.
“It’s emotional because it’s been an incredible journey to watch them go through all of the ups and downs that come with being a college student-athlete, whether it’s one year in several cases, or four years with Kindyll, five years with Frida,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “It’s an amazing journey to be a part of.”
Formann, who took advantage of a bonus year granted to all players from the 2020-21 season because of COVID, has certainly had a remarkable journey.
A 5-foot-11 guard from Denmark, Formann is CU’s career leader in made 3-pointers (300), while also ranking fourth in 3-point percentage (.385) and third in free throw percentage (.843). She is 13th in career scoring (1,538 points) and has played in the third-most games (136) of anyone in program history.
“I think one thing that has really made me so happy about this place and this experience is how much it’s meant to my family, as well,” she said through tears. “It’s really given them something to cheer for and to get together about. They all get together to watch my games if we play on weekends. They all have my gear. My little niece and nephew have my gear, and they have my poster and it’s just a big part of our lives, you know?”
Most of Formann’s tears, however, stemmed not from the 136 games she’s played at CU but the 11 she has missed this season. When healthy, she’s enjoyed perhaps her best season, leading the team with 13.3 points per game. Her 3-point percentage (.444) is the best of her career, and she’s also averaged 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists.
For the first time, though, Formann has dealt with injuries. She missed the first four games of the year with a foot injury, and has now missed the last seven.
“It’s been a rough few weeks,” Formann said. “Being injured is never something you want, but especially at this time. … My brother has been here for a while and I haven’t been able to play in front of him. I had other friends come and couldn’t play in front of them.”
In Formann’s last game, on Jan. 29, she helped CU to an important 67-66 win at BYU. She didn’t look right in that game, though, and hasn’t played since.
“I don’t think it was super noticeable, but I did play through the worst pain I’ve ever played through in January,” she said. “Once you’ve been through that, you never want to do that again.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, Formann didn’t know if she will play against ASU. Her body will let her know, but she’s hoping to play at least a few minutes.
“Every part of me wants to play, but your body does not like being in pain, so obviously, it really affects your mental – the joy of playing,” she said. “So I really, really want to play but I also know that playing in pain is not going to be a joyful experience.”
It’s unclear if Formann will play much, or at all, when the Buffs go to the Big 12 Tournament next week or the postseason (NCAA Tournament or WBIT) later in March.
She is happy, though, to know her family is in Boulder this week to celebrate her entire, sensational career with the Buffs.
“It’s never how you want to go out,” she said of her injury. “But it’s also emotional, just because they’re here and it’s been such a big part of their lives for the past five years, as mine. It’s always nice to feel the support in person.”
CU Buffs women’s basketball vs. Arizona State
TIPOFF: Wednesday, 7 p.m. MT, CU Events Center
TV/RADIO: ESPN+/KHOW 630 AM
RECORDS: Colorado 17-10, 8-8 Big 12; Arizona State 9-19, 3-13 Big 12
COACHES: Colorado — JR Payne, 9th season (160-112; 261-225 career). Arizona State — Natasha Adair, 3rd season (28-59, 195-202 career).
KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — F Tabitha Betson, 6-2, Fr. (5.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg); F Nyamer Diew, 6-2, Sr. (7.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, .365 3pt%); G Frida Formann, 5-11, Sr. (13.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, .444 3pt%); F Lior Garzon, 6-1, Sr. (10.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg); F Jade Masogayo, 6-3, Jr. (12.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .593 FG%); G Johanna Teder, 5-8, Sr. (5.1 ppg, 1.9 apg, .577 FG%, .389 3pt%); G Kindyll Wetta, 5-9, Sr. (5.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.5 apg, 1.9 spg). Arizona State — F Kennedy Basham, 6-7, Jr. (5.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg); G Jalyn Brown, 6-1, Jr. (17.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.5 apg); G Kennedy Fauntleroy, 5-7, Jr. (8.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg); G Jyah LoVett, 5-8, So. (9.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.0 apg, .367 3pt%, .906 FT%); C Nevaeh Parkinson, 6-3, Sr. (9.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, .525 FG%, .500 3pt%); G Tyi Skinner, 5-5, Sr. (16.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, .385 3pt%).
NOTES: CU is 13-2 at home, while ASU is 2-9 in true road games. … At No. 65 in the NET rankings, CU, which is 1-4 in its last five games, can’t afford more losses if it wants to reach the NCAA Tournament for a fourth straight year. “(Wednesday’s) game is really important. We all know it,” Payne said. “There’s no hiding that. So we’re just trying to have great practices, and go in feeling very confident and prepared.” … ASU comes in at No. 130 in the NET. … ASU leads the all-time series 16-13, although CU has won the last two meetings, both in Tempe, Ariz. … Although the two teams have been conference rivals for 14 seasons, this will be ASU’s first game in Boulder since Feb. 21, 2020 (ASU won 65-59). Two Boulder games have been canceled since then, for COVID (December 2020) and injuries (January 2023). … Garzon and Fauntleroy were teammates at Oklahoma State last year. … During conference play, CU’s Masogayo leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage (.615), while ASU’s Brown is sixth in the Big 12 in scoring (18.5 ppg). … ASU snapped a 12-game losing streak by stunning BYU, 85-73 in overtime on Saturday in Provo, Utah. The Sun Devils trailed by five with less than a minute to play, but scored five straight to force overtime and then outscored BYU 14-2 in OT. Brown had 23 points and nine rebounds. … ASU is looking to avoid its third consecutive 20-loss season.