This is an open letter to Memphis Grizzlies fans from a BYU supporter who couldn't be happier for you as you prepare for the upcoming joy of rooting for Richie Saunders.
While he wasn't a lottery pick at No. 32 in this year's draft, you as Grizzlies fans essentially won the lottery for getting this caliber of a player and a person in the second round of the draft. Few second rounders go on to have meaningful NBA careers, but based on his last four years at BYU, Richie could be the exception.
Richie's "grit and grind" mentality
As an NBA fan myself, I reflect back fondly on the Grizzlies "grit and grind" days. I respect the way Zach Randolph bullied people in the paint and dominated down low with his grit, making up for his lack of athleticism. Tony Allen deserves a spot in the All-Defense Hall of Fame for his ability to impact games despite his limited offense.
Richie Saunders plays with that same mentality. He's got that dawg in him.
He often plays with a hair-on-fire urgency that elevates his entire team. He might have led the Big 12 in floor burns. He averaged 5.8 rebounds per game this past season as a 6-foot-5 wing due primarily to hustle and just wanting it more than the unfortunate souls trying to box him out.
As BYU fans we watched Richie grind his way to the top of the Big 12 and now to the NBA in a joyful multi-year process. He never stopped working and as a result he improved every year. Here's what we witnessed as BYU fans and knowing Richie, you'll probably have a similar experience as he grows with the Grizzlies.
Richie Saunders' journey of grinding his way to the top of the Big 12
As BYU fans our relationship with Richie goes back to his high school days.
He played his high school ball here in Utah as a skinny 6-foot-5, 180-pound prospect. He was a Top 250 national recruit in the class of 2020 and it was a big deal for Cougar fans when he committed to BYU. The Cougs were playing in the lowly West Coast Conference back then, and he easily could have played in a higher-profile conference.
Then after high school he served a two-year full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Seattle, Washington. Having served a mission myself, I can vouch for the fact that Richie showed a lot of grit as a missionary. They are not easy. They require a significant amount of work, self-discipline, and choosing to love and serve others. It's okay if you don't agree with the doctrine Richie was teaching, but I hope you can respect the sacrifice and work ethic he showed as a missionary.
As a freshman in 2022-23 he quickly "knocked off the mission rush" after not playing or training for two years (which isn't easy to do) and showed promise by averaging 5.5 points per game while shooting 33.3% from the 3-point line.
After grinding the entire offseason he returned as a sophomore in 2023-24 and averaged 9.6 points in 20.7 minutes per game as BYU's Energizer Bunny of a sixth man. His 3-point shooting rose to 36.4%. When Richie came off the bench as a sophomore, he lifted his entire team. Fans fell in love with his hard-nosed effort in BYU's first season in the Big 12. He played his part as BYU surprisingly went 10-8 in Big 12 play and earned a six seed in the NCAA Tournament.
As Richie entered his junior season in 2024-25, BYU fans knew he would start, but we didn't know how much further he could elevate his game. Boy were we in for a treat!
Richie is also loyal. BYU head coach Mark Pope left BYU in 2024 to coach at Kentucky -- KENTUCKY! -- and made Richie his top target to transfer with him from Provo to Lexington.
Richie stayed.
What we as BYU loyalists witnessed from Richie over the two seasons that followed was basketball nirvana. Even as a starter playing heavy minutes, the dude just never quit. He never stopped. He never took a play off. He was relentless. He never sulked or pointed fingers. He got his buckets within the flow of the offense, never showing any "me-first" tendencies. He was clutch. He was exceptionally consistent.
Related Story: BYU basketball will never have another Richie Saunders
Between his junior and senior years he emerged as one of the best players in the nation's best conference in the Big 12. Over the last two seasons he averaged 17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 50.5% from the field and 40.5 percent from the 3-point line.
He was First Team All-Big 12 in 2025 and Second Team All-Big 12 this past season, which was cut short due an ACL tear.
Grizzlies fans, the last four years of the Richie Saunders experience has been joyful for us here in Provo. We love this guy.
Get ready to have the same experience.
You're going to love him, too.
Add us as a preferred source on Google