Richie Saunders makes announcement about his future at BYU
Richie Saunders announced he'll return to BYU for his senior season on Saturday.
The Cougars standout tested the NBA waters but decided to run it back one more time. After leading BYU in scoring last season and earning All-Big 12 First-Team honors, Saunders' decision gives BYU a real shot at a special 2025-26 campaign. Kevin Young and his staff have built an incredible starting five around top recruit AJ Dybantsa.
Saunders was sensational throughout the year, averaging 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting an efficient 52% from the field and 43% from three-point range. His all-around impact helped push BYU to the Sweet 16 for the first time in over a decade.
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Related: BYU Basketball lands top four-star transfer guard
With Saunders returning, the rest of BYU's roster looks loaded. He'll join forces Dybansta and two high-level scorers in Rob Wright and Kennard Davis Jr., who transferred this past week.
All three are capable of putting up double figures, and Dybansta could be the best scorer on the team. For Saunders, it's a dream setup after carrying a major burden last season. He'll now find himself surrounded by elite offensive talent, allowing him to play free and more efficiently.
Related: BYU's AJ Dybantsa reveals all-time NBA starting five
BYU will likely enter the season as a preseason favorite in Big 12, and it could be the most anticipated year in the history of Cougar basketball.
Saunders already helped lead BYU to one Sweet 16. Now he has a chance to do something no BYU player ever has, which is to make it twice. Young's Cougars will be a force with all eyes on Provo next year.
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