Richie Saunders was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 32nd pick in 2026 NBA Draft.
His game grew with every passing year in Provo, and he now looks to provide a spark in Memphis. But that will take some time as Saunders continues to recover from an ACL injury suffered in February.
Here is what he can bring to the Grizzlies.
Sources: The Memphis Grizzlies will select Richie Saunders with the No. 32 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 25, 2026
Richie Saunders is a strong shooter
Saunders shot 38% from three-point range on seven attempts per game in his final season at BYU. When the opportunities arise, you can trust the senior to hit shots from outside the arc.
Saunders is not only a strong shooter from catch-and-shoots, but also in motion retrieving handoffs or after some shot creation of his own. In a league where the three-point shot continues to become a focal point, the 24-year-old’s skill set can be an asset if the ability can translate to the NBA level.
Soft touch around the rim
Like his former Cougars teammate in AJ Dybantsa, Saunders takes a liking to getting inside and finishing near the rim. He may not be as tall and athletic as Dybantsa, but Saunders can hold his own when given driving angles.
He utilizes his touch around the rim to shoot floaters. He does the same at the rim with layups. At 6’5” and 200 pounds, Saunders has the size to shield off defenders to create openings for his offense.
Effective without the ball
A skill that NBA shooters like Kyle Korver, JJ Redick, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry have utilized over the years is their movement without the ball. As a defender, you cannot relax when those guys give the ball up.
Saunders can relate.
It is a tool every team in the NBA can appreciate. Saunders is polished in this regard, and it could be one of the ways he finds minutes early on in his pro career.
Markos Tsegaye is a sports reporter for the Courier & Press. He can be reached at mtsegaye@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @10_Markos_
This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Richie Saunders 2026 NBA Draft BYU basketball
