There are times in practice when Kindyll Wetta gets under the skin of Colorado teammate and fellow point guard Jaylyn Sherrod.
“I think we’re both intense but Kindyll’s definitely, like just, she can be a little gnat sometimes,” Sherrod said with a laugh.
Asked if he she enjoys frustrating Sherrod in practice, Wetta didn’t hesitate.
“Oh, yeah, I think itap so fun,” she said. “I think thatap also why we get along so well.”
Next Monday, the 20th-ranked CU women’s basketball team will open the 2023-24 season in Las Vegas against No. 1 LSU. Coming off a Sweet 16 run last spring, the Buffaloes have high hopes once again, and it starts with their dynamic duo at point guard.
“As teammates they’re awesome,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “They’re probably the two most competitive kids. They really push each other. They think alike in that they want the group to be pushing and stretching and being challenged at all times. So they’re both pretty unapologetic about holding us to a high standard, which is really great.
“They’re just kind of similar personalities, so they’re sort of two peas in a pod in a way.”
They never would have expected that when Wetta arrived as a freshman from Valor Christian High School two years ago.
A fiery and fast, 5-foot-7 guard from Birmingham, Ala., Sherrod was an established star for the Buffs at the point, going into her third season. Wetta, a crafty and tough 5-foot-9 guard from Castle Rock, was looking to find her way in college basketball.
Shandrika Lee, an assistant with the Buffs at the time, told Wetta, “You need to get to know Jaylyn Sherrod because you too are way more alike than you think.”
“I was like, ‘There’s no way,’” Wetta said.
Turns out, Lee was right.
Sherrod and Wetta may have come from different backgrounds and they have different styles to their game, but they are both tough as nails competitors who drive opponents batty and love to play defense. And, entering their third season together, they’ve become close.
“Kindyll is great,” Sherrod said. “She’s always been wanting to push me outside of my comfort zone, always just a great teammate and a great friend to have. Overall Kindyll’s just a good kid.
“It just happens naturally now that we know each other, know what each other is looking for, what each other is seeing on the court. Itap just kind of like second nature, kinda, at this point with Kindyll.”
It took some time to get there, though.
“She’s a very intimidating player to have in your position group,” Wetta said. “Obviously a very good player, but also kind of more reserved. You kind of have to feel her out and I remember that was a large part of my freshman year, but after just getting to know her better and hanging out with her outside of basketball and getting to know her as a person, I feel very comfortable. … I have the ability to speak to her and tell her things that maybe other people can’t because we have a relationship.”
Having a strong relationship allows them to appreciate the times they are annoyed by each other in practice.
“I just let Kindyll have her moments and we laugh about it and we’ll be back on the same page next day,” Sherrod said. “We just kind of have that relationship to where we can keep it real with each other and pour into each other when itap needed.”
In addition to being extremely competitive, Sherrod and Wetta share a similar work ethic and tenacity, which contributes to making each other better.
“We definitely clash heads,” Wetta said. “Some of the times I’ve been the most mad in practice is when I’m guarding Jaylyn and we’re going at it and we’re pissed and we’re yelling at each other, but we’re always friends afterwards.”
In their two years together, Sherrod has started 64 of CU’s 65 games, while Wetta has started just once (in the only game Sherrod has missed). Both play starter-type minutes, however, and are often on the court together in crunch time.
Payne usually puts them against each other in practice. They joke with Payne that they want to play together, but they’ll do that plenty on game days and they are sure to continue making an impact on the Buffs and on each other.
“I think every year Jaylyn and I just get along better and better,” Wetta said. “I absolutely love that girl to death and she’s so fun, not only as a person to just talk to, but somebody to play with.
“Having a great team coming back and then also be able to play with her one more year is amazing and we’re excited and hoping to go out with a bang.”
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