Well that didn't take too long, now did it?
After gradually climbing up draft boards for months, BYU veteran guard Richie Saunders has been selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 32nd pick, just two picks into the draft's second day.
The second pick from BYU basketball in this NBA Draft -- the first time that's happened since the draft was cut to just two rounds -- Saunders joins AJ Dybantsa in this year's class of NBA draftees.
It's an incredible fit for Saunders, a player who projects to be a day-one contributor at the NBA level. The problem for second-round picks is often finding room on the roster to carve out some playing time. Such is not the case for the Grizzlies, a team in the early stages of their rebuild currently in the process of shedding their star trio of Desmond Bane (now with Orlando), Jaren Jackson Jr (now with Utah), and Ja Morant (still searching for a trade partner).
Saunders will have a roster spot with the Grizzlies as a very early second-round selection, and will likely appear with the team's Summer League squad in Salt Lake City -- unless his ACL tear needs more time to recover.
I don't mean to be overly optimistic -- I'm taking the blue goggles off, I swear -- but one look at the Memphis Grizzlies current roster, and it's hard to imagine Saunders not finding a rotation role as a rookie.
Richie Saunders has a place with the Memphis Grizzlies
Best players on the Grizzlies' projected roster:
Cameron Boozer
Santi Aldama
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Zach Edey
Cedric Coward
Taylor Hendricks
Walter Clayton Jr
Ty Jerome
Jaylen Wells
He'll be 25 years old at the start of the regular season this fall -- atypical of a rookie in the NBA -- and therefore has a smaller window to make his presence felt with his new team. I completely expect Richie to be a go-to offensive option for the Grizzlies, and a foundational locker room leader among many players who are still younger than him.
He'll have to work for his spot, certainly, but Richie Saunders proved what he's capable of during his time at BYU. A deadeye three-point shooter, a down-and-dirty hustler at every aspect of the game, a scrappy defender, and an improving creator on the offensive end.
There was a lot to like about Saunders' upside in the draft -- now we'll get to see him in action with the Grizzlies.
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