Big 12 Men’s Basketball Awards: Richie Saunders, Egor Demin Recognized
Richie Saunders earned the title of the Big 12’s Most Improved Player and secured a spot on the First-Team All-Big 12. During conference play, he ranked fourth in scoring with 17.9 points per game, boasting a 52% field goal percentage and shooting 45% from beyond the arc. Richie remained one of the league’s most reliable and impactful players throughout the season, earning recognition from coaches.
Egor Demin ranked fourth in the Big 12 with 5.5 assists per game and was BYU’s second-leading scorer behind Richie Saunders. He was selected for the All-Freshman team and received honorable mention.
I believed Mawot Mag had a strong case for the All-Defensive team, but he was left off the five-player roster. Last season, no BYU players earned a spot on any of the three teams, making Richie’s recognition a significant achievement.