Richie Saunders' college career has come to an end with a torn ACL that's a gut-punch for him, his team, and BYU fans around the world.
Making matters even worse, Richie's injury could cost him dearly in his ultimate goal of playing in the NBA.
After his All-Big 12 First Team selection in his junior season last year followed by an outstanding senior season this year that was amplified by the perpetual spotlight generated by teammate AJ Dybantsa, Richie was moving up NBA draft boards. He had gone from a potential undrafted player who gets a shot in the summer league, to a fringe draft pick, to now firmly entrenched on many draft boards.
ESPN's most recent big board had Richie as the No. 40 prospect in the draft, so 10 spots out of the first round. NBADraft.net had Saunders getting drafted at No. 42 by the Los Angeles Clippers. NBA draft website Tankathon had Richie at No. 43 on their latest big board, so firmly in the second round.
Before his injury, Richie Saunders was on track to be an early second round pick in this year's NBA Draft.
But with his injury, his NBA future is now in doubt.
The NBA prioritizes young players with untapped potential
One of the biggest disadvantages Richie would have needed to overcome even before his injury was his advanced age, at least by NBA standards. After serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and playing four years of college hoops, he's already 24.
He was the No. 243 high school prospect back in 2020, putting him in the same graduating class as Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley, players that are already in their fifth NBA seasons.
And there's nothing NBA front offices like more than young players with upside. When it comes to the second round of the NBA Draft many general managers prefer taking 20-year-olds with untapped potential, getting them into the system, and molding them.
If Richie isn't selected in this year's NBA Draft -- which now highly likely -- he'll be 25 and coming off a major injury as he tries to break into the NBA. There is very little appetite in the NBA to invest draft picks in players meeting that profile. At 25, most players have already reached their ceiling.
Increasing the degree of difficulty is Saunders will now probably be an undrafted free agent looking to latch on somehow, some way with an NBA team that has no vested long-term interest in him.
If he was a second round pick he would have the halo effect of the front office wanting him to succeed to prove they can find talent in the draft. But as an undrafted player, there is no such loyalty. He won't get the benefit of the doubt. He will have to earn every minute he plays. The odds he is going to have to overcome will be massive.
The potential financial implications
And the potential financial implications are gut-wrenching, too.
Let's assume Saunders would have been drafted at No. 42 this year. Last year's No. 42 pick, Maxime Raynaud, signed a 3-year, $5.95 million contract with the Sacrament Kings with $3.4 million guaranteed. Richie could have been counting on a contract that would have paid him about $2 million per year over the next three seasons.
If Richie goes undrafted this year but latches on with a team's G-League affiliate, his salary will be around $45,000 for the entire season. That number is shockingly low. That's the equivalent of a full-time, 40-hours-per week worker making about $22.50 per hour. Playing in the G-League is the NBA's version of minimum wage, and in some states is only a few dollars above the actual minimum wage on an hourly basis.
If he then goes on to beat the odds and signs a two-way contract between the G-League and the actual NBA team, the most he could make as a two-way player is $636,435, which is half of the rookie minimum salary, Two-way players' salaries are prorated based on the number of games they actually play for the NBA club. The maximum that can be guaranteed is $85,300. The most fortunate two-way players make a couple of hundred thousand dollars a year as they bounce between the G-League affiliate and the NBA team.
The difference between Richie Saunders being selected in this year's NBA Draft versus climbing the ladder from the G-League could cost him over $5 million dollars over the next three years.
Now, at least some high-profile college athletes have insurance policies to protect against these types of injuries, and I'm hoping Richie has a policy in place. That could provide a short-term financial buffer while he rehabs and gets ready to pursue his NBA dream, but it likely won't make him whole.
While things look bleak for Richie Saunders right now, nobody should count this guy out.
He's a worker. He's a grinder. He's a leader. He's an incredible basketball player. Exceeding expectations has been his calling card every season in his four-year BYU career.
If any player can overcome the now long odds Richie Saunders faces with his uncertain future NBA career, it's Richie Saunders himself.