Kevin Young Commends BYU Wing Richie Saunders
PROVO, Utah — A losing streak often overshadows positives, but Richie Saunders has been a standout for BYU basketball despite their recent struggles.
The 6-foot-5 junior wing has been delivering some of the best performances of his career, even as BYU has dropped three straight games to fall to 1-3 in Big 12 play.
Saunders scored 26 points in BYU’s 71-67 loss to TCU last Saturday, marking his third game this season with at least 26 points.
Richie Saunders Among Big 12’s Top Performers After Two Weeks
In four Big 12 games, Saunders ranks fifth in scoring at 17.8 points per game. He leads the league in field goal percentage (58.1%) and is tied for second in three-point shooting (48%).
This breakout season for Saunders almost didn’t happen at BYU. Last spring, he entered the Transfer Portal after Mark Pope left for Kentucky. However, BYU’s new head coach, Kevin Young, made retaining players a priority and convinced Saunders to stay.
“Danny Ainge told me when I came back, ‘Sometimes, you’ll need to score big. Sometimes, it’s grabbing a rebound or getting a steal. This is a team effort,’” Saunders said.
The Riverton native has thrived under Young’s leadership, drawing comparisons to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso from the former NBA assistant.
Returning to BYU Through the Transfer Portal
When asked if Saunders’s success was anticipated, Young affirmed his confidence in the junior.
“Absolutely. He’s as talented as any wing in the country,” Young said. “He can shoot, he competes, and he’s made of the right stuff. There’s room for growth on defense, but he’s met my expectations so far.”
The Next Test for Richie Saunders
As Saunders continues to excel, the challenge lies in sustaining his efficiency while facing tougher defensive attention.
“When you become the focus of the scouting report, it’s harder to execute,” Young said. “The challenge for him—and for me as a coach—is to keep finding ways for him to succeed even when defenses are keyed in on stopping him.”
BYU will aim to snap their three-game skid Tuesday night against Oklahoma State at the Marriott Center. The game tips off at 7 p.m. (MST) on ESPN+ and KSL NewsRadio.