After AJ Dybantsa went #1 overall the Washington Wizards Tuesday night in the NBA Draft, Richie Saunders was selected in the second round at pick #32 by the Memphis Grizzlies .
After serving a two-year LDS Church mission, Richie began his career for BYU in 2022-2023 where he spent four years and will go down as one of the best players in BYU program history. Richie went from role player in his first two seasons under Mark Pope to Big 12 Most Improved Player and First Team All-Big 12 as a junior in Kevin
Young’s first season. Richie’s points, rebounds, and assists all increased as a senior alongside AJ Dybantsa before Richie tore his ACL versus Colorado on Valentine’s Day.
As a junior in 2024-25, Richie averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds with 52/43/84 shooting splits. He was BYU’s best player despite playing alongside star freshman Egor Demin, who was drafted #8 by the Brooklyn Nets. Richie average 18 points and 6 boards as a senior on 49/38/82 splits and tore his ACL 25 games into the season.
Richie’s shooting prowess is easy to spot on film, but his hustle and tenacity are what will get him to stick around in the NBA. Richie averaged 2 offensive rebounds per game as a senior, and has what Kevin Young calls an “uncommon” motor. Richie was BYU’s glue guy his first two season, and kept that mentality his final two seasons despite being one of BYU’s star players.
He is one of BYU’s most beloved players ever, and I have no doubt Grizzlies fans will embrace him as well.
