Where good news shines

Tad Boyle added a key piece to Colorado’s frontcourt for the 2026-27 season.

Justin Neely, who ranked second in NCAA Division I basketball in rebounding at UNC Greensboro last season, has joined the Buffs, the program said. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound forward averaged 11.5 rebounds per game, trailing only Washington’s Hannes Steinbach in the national rankings. A first-team All-Southern Conference pick, Neely will be a graduate student at CU.

“One of our biggest needs coming into this year is to become a better rebounding team, and this kid fits the bill,” Boyle said. “He can get balls in his area, and out of his area, offensive rebound and defensive rebound. Rebounding is one thing that translates from level to level.”

Neely shot 54.2% from the field and averaged over 17 points per game last season at UNC Greensboro. He ranked eighth in the country with 207 made free throws.

(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at [email protected].)