Saunders joins Cameron Boozer (No. 3) and Karim Lopez (No. 21) in this year’s Grizzlies class. General manager Zach Kleiman said after the first round on June 23 that Memphis would consider trade offers for the No. 32 pick, but he ultimately decided to stay there and take Saunders.
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He’s a two-time All-Big 12 selection who played all four years of his collegiate career for the Cougars.
Here’s what to know about Saunders.
Saunders is coming off a major injury
Saunders was in the midst of his best season at BYU in 2026 when he tore his ACL in February.
The injury likely caused him to drop in the draft, and he’ll probably miss the start of the 2026-27 NBA season.
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Top photos of new Memphis Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders, taken No. 32 in NBA draft
Jan 24, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) looks on during the first half against the Utah Utes at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
(Aaron Baker, Aaron Baker-Imagn Images)
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Top photos of new Memphis Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders, taken No. 32 in NBA draft
Jan 24, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) looks on during the first half against the Utah Utes at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
(Aaron Baker, Aaron Baker-Imagn Images)
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Top photos of new Memphis Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders, taken No. 32 in NBA draft
Jan 14, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) drives to the basket against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
(Aaron Baker, Aaron Baker-Imagn Images)
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Top photos of new Memphis Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders, taken No. 32 in NBA draft
Feb 7, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) takes a free throw during the first half against the Houston Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
(Aaron Baker, Aaron Baker-Imagn Images)
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Top photos of new Memphis Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders, taken No. 32 in NBA draft
Feb 10, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) looks to pass against Baylor Bears guard Obi Agbim (5) during the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
(Chris Jones, Chris Jones-Imagn Images)
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Top photos of new Memphis Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders, taken No. 32 in NBA draft
Feb 10, 2026; Waco, Texas, USA; BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) scores a layup ahead of Baylor Bears guard Cameron Carr (43) during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
(Chris Jones, Chris Jones-Imagn Images)
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Top photos of new Memphis Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders, taken No. 32 in NBA draft
Feb 14, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) is helped off the court after an injury during the first half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
(Aaron Baker, Aaron Baker-Imagn Images)
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Top photos of new Memphis Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders, taken No. 32 in NBA draft
Jan 24, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; BYU Cougars guard Richie Saunders (15) shoots against BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) during the first half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
(Jay Biggerstaff, Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images)
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Top photos of new Memphis Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders, taken No. 32 in NBA draft
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – NOVEMBER 21: Richie Saunders #15 of the Brigham Young Cougars scores on a breakaway against John Blackwell #25 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half of their Bad Boys Mowers Series game at the Delta Center on November 21, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
(Chris Gardner / Getty Images)
Saunders is a dynamic 3-point shooter
The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder saw his role grow every year at BYU. He shot 43.2% from beyond the arc in his junior season, and his scoring average increased each season. He averaged 18.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during his injury-shortened senior season.
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Saunders is already 24 after serving a mission and then using all four years of his collegiate eligibility.
The Grizzlies have been highly successful at evaluating second-round talent the past few seasons. GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer all have proved to be rotation-caliber players after being taken in the second round.
Saunders has a very specific connection to Tater Tots
While at BYU, Saunders signed an NIL deal with Ore-Ida.
It wasn’t just a random connection — Saunders’ great-grandfather, Francis Nephi Grigg, co-founded the company in the 1950s. The company is famous for, among other things, inventing the Tater Tot.
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During BYU’s NCAA Tournament run in 2025, the company briefly changed its name to Ore-Richie as part of the marketing deal. So, if Tater Tots suddenly start popping up around FedExForum — well, there’s a reason for it.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
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