Overview
Richie Saunders grew up in Utah dreaming of suiting up for BYU. Saunders spent his final two prep seasons at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, where he earned 2020 Best of State Male Athlete honors and ranked as the third-best prospect in Utah as a three-star recruit. After modest freshman and sophomore seasons, he broke out as a junior to claim Big 12 Most Improved Player and First-Team All-Big 12 honors. As a senior, Saunders posted 18.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals in 31.3 minutes per game on 48.9%/37.6%/81.7% shooting splits, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 recognition while anchoring the Cougars alongside AJ Dybantsa during the regular season. However, an ACL tear in February ended Saunders collegiate career early.
Career Highlights
- All-Big 12 First Team selection as a junior in 2024-25 and Second Team as a senior in 2025-26.
- 2024-25 Big 12 Most Improved Player of the Year, raising his points per game to 16.5 from 9.6 in 2023-24.
- Finished his career eighth in BYU history in three-pointers (205) and 12th in steals (133).
- Shot 38.7% from three-point range for his career, including a personal-best 43.2% as a junior.
- Great-grandson of Nephi Grigg, the founder of Ore-Ida and creator of the tater tot.
Analysis
Shooting is the skill that will carry Saunders to the NBA. He owns quick and high mechanics with deep range. He’s adept at stand-still shooting, sprinting off screens or rising into a pull-up, remaining efficient across a variety of shot types. Saunders punishes closeouts with shot fakes and drives, and he’s able to leap over and through contact around the basket. His passing is connective rather than creative, but he rarely makes a mistake by trying something too risky. Quick hands, a competitive motor and a projectable frame give him the tools to grow into a trusted team defender, and he crashes the offensive glass.
Projection
Saunders projects as a movement shooter and plus connective wing who slots into any modern offense. His three-point gravity is the engine that powers everything else, and the size, frame and basketball IQ are all there to round into a dependable off-ball defender inside a team scheme. In terms of NBA playstyle comparisons, Saunders can show flashes of players like Danny Green, Wesley Matthews and Grayson Allen. Saunders has the tools to be in an NBA rotation right away due to his blend of shooting versatility, decision-making and rebounding.
— Profile by RotoWire.com with additional info from the official NBA Draft Media Guide