BYU transfer guard Collin Chandler, the heir-apparent to Richie Saunders' tater tot throne in Provo, was shown officially packing up and leaving his home in Kentucky via his wife's social media.
A simple "Bye Lex" was the punctuation on his time under Mark Pope's Wildcat regime.
Collin Chandler has officially said goodbye to Lexington. 😿🏀
— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) May 5, 2026
Chandler’s wife posted a TikTok saying goodbye to Lexington, as they head back home to Utah for Chandler to play at BYU. #BBN
H/T: @cats_coverage pic.twitter.com/mUlIKLwiBg
Though it's not surprising news, or really major news in any major way, it's a major exhale for BYU basketball fans anxiously awaiting the cohesion and official formation of Kevin Young's third edition of Cougar hoops. Chandler is officially on his back to the Beehive State, and this time he's going to stick around.
When Helen Parr (who is definitely not Elastigirl) called her husband, Bob Parr (who is soooo not Mr. Incredible) at work, she delivered triumphant news that the pair had now officially moved in after years of living in the same house.
She had finally unpacked the last box, so now it was official!
It's the same situation here. Collin Chandler's official departure from Lexington, Kentucky, is just the final confirmation for BYU basketball: the program's prodigal son is finally returning home to Utah, and Kevin Young's basketball team is all the better for it.
So about that Richie Saunders point: With the heartbeat of the BYU basketball for the last two years officially declared for the NBA Draft -- and unable to return to play another year in Provo, even if he wanted to -- Saunders has left a significant void in Kevin Young's lineup.
Deadeye shooting, Energizer Bunny levels of tenacity, and enough hustle to make Bo Cruz blush, finding a one-man replacement for a player who was both a cultural and spiritual leader for the program is a virtually impossible task.
We still don't quite know if Collin Chandler could fill Saunders' shoes.
Even so, a shooting guard who can shoot over 40% from distance, has the athleticism to jump out of the gym, and has most of the intangibles of his predecessor, Chandler will begin his career under Kevin Young as a junior at BYU -- exactly like Richie Saunders. We'll watch with great interest as his career develops under Young's watch.
For now, we'll excitedly await his arrival in Provo.
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