Richie Saunders hopes to be a leader in his early NBA opportunity in Memphis

BYU product Richie Saunders isn't like other rookies.

After four strong seasons in Provo, Saunders emerged as a deadeye shooter from three-point land, a relentless competitor, and the heartbeat of the BYU basketball program. In truth, it'll be difficult to imagine Kevin Young's team without Saunders. This is why he was graded as an early second-round NBA draft pick after his junior season, and a late first-round pick following his final season of college ball.

After tearing his ACL, though, NBA teams began to really care about that pesky birth date. Richie Saunders is old for an NBA rookie -- 24 years of age and 25 in September. This isn't unfamiliar territory for BYU athletes, as many opt to serve two-year missions and defer their eligibility until a few years after their high school graduation. He still has plenty of years left to play professional basketball, but a smaller window will tank a player's draft stock.

Fortunately, despite projecting in the late second-round at the end of his season, Saunders climbed up to the 32nd overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies, a franchise known for nailing their selections in the 31-60 range, and joins his young teammates as something of a veteran. Comparatively, at least.

He touched on this point during his introductory press conference in Memphis.

"Took a little bit, but I'm here," he laughed. " I think last year, being with younger players, and being able to guide them using my experience in the game. I'm young in the sense that I've never put on an NBA uniform. Hopefully be able to guide some of my young teammates as a rookie. It's funny saying 'young teammates', but that's what it is."

But he's not focused on his age, nor his status as the rookie class's elder statesman. Saunders keeps his focus forward, sharing the progress in his injury recovery and aligning his mentality with that of his new team's history: Grit 'n' Grind

"I've been just so focused on getting better and ffocused on having a great foundation as I enter into this next step. It's been a grind. That's what I've done my whole career, is work."

As with his former teammate, AJ Dybantsa, Saunders will also receive a new number with his NBA team, shedding the first digit on his BYU uniform to go from 15 to 5. Thank goodness he had more sense than Cameron Boozer, who picked an awkward number 27.

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