Rising Star: Momentum Builds for BYU’s Richie Saunders Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft
What once seemed like a long shot is now gaining serious traction: BYU’s Richie Saunders is quickly emerging as one of the most intriguing NBA Draft prospects in the West. With a relentless motor, high basketball IQ, and an ever-improving offensive arsenal, the 6-foot-5 guard has caught the eyes of scouts and analysts alike, positioning himself as a potential pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Coming off a breakout 2024-25 season, Saunders proved to be much more than just an energy guy off the bench. He stepped confidently into a starting role and delivered consistent two-way production, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors and becoming one of the Cougars’ most trusted players in clutch situations. Now entering his senior season, his draft stock is trending upward at a rapid pace.
Saunders averaged 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game last season, while shooting a highly efficient 48% from the field and 39% from three-point range. He also stood out as a capable defender, frequently drawing the assignment of the opposing team’s top wing scorer and holding his own. But it’s not just the stats that have scouts intrigued—it’s how he plays.
“He’s a coach’s dream,” said one Western Conference scout. “High motor, does the dirty work, but also has developed a really nice touch from the perimeter. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective. He knows how to impact winning.”
What separates Saunders from many of his peers is his versatility. At BYU, he’s guarded positions 1 through 4, attacked the glass like a forward, and spaced the floor like a sharpshooter. In the modern NBA—where players are expected to be multi-dimensional on both ends—Saunders checks a lot of boxes.
His basketball journey hasn’t been one of instant stardom, but rather of steady growth. After serving a two-year mission following high school, Saunders returned to Provo focused and physically matured. He steadily earned minutes in a deep rotation before breaking out last season under head coach Kevin Young, who has emphasized NBA-style pace, spacing, and ball movement—systems that highlight Saunders’ strengths.
“Coach Young has really helped me understand how to read the floor better,” Saunders said in a recent interview. “I’m not just reacting anymore—I’m processing. That’s made a big difference in how I play and how confident I feel.”
His work ethic has become legendary within the BYU program. Teammates speak about his post-practice shooting sessions and his constant film study. “Richie’s the first in and the last out,” said fellow guard Dallin Hall. “He’s earned everything.”
NBA draft experts have begun placing Saunders in their early 2026 mock drafts, with some projecting him as a late first-round or early second-round selection. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony listed him as a “riser to watch,” citing his combination of toughness, shooting, and maturity as key assets for professional teams.
Still, Saunders isn’t letting the attention get to his head.
“My focus is on winning here at BYU,” he said. “The draft talk is cool, but if we take care of business as a team, all of that will come naturally.”
That team-first mindset only boosts his profile. In an era where ego and personal branding can overshadow effort, Richie Saunders represents a refreshing throwback: a grinder with skill, heart, and humility.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, BYU fans will have their eyes locked on their hometown star—not just for what he brings to the Cougars, but for what could be a future at the next level. With each game, each hustle play, and each clutch shot, the momentum behind Richie Saunders’ NBA dream is growing—and now, the rest of the basketball world is starting to believe it, too.
