At 24 years old, Richie Saunders is among the oldest prospects in this year’s NBA draft, but that doesn’t bother him one bit.
While his age has given some pundits pause, the BYU star views it as a wealth of experience he can draw from to more quickly contribute upon arriving in the NBA.
“I’ve played in 180 college games. I’ve been in crazy situations. I’ve had to win games and I’ve lost games at the buzzer. I’ve had to learn from those things,” Saunders said on the “Kevin O’Connor Show” podcast, speaking to Yahoo Sports analyst Kevin O’Connor.
“Fortunately, the teams (I’ve talked to) have been very positive about (my age) actually, where it’s an advantage versus a disadvantage.”
Just nine days away from likely hearing his name called in the second round of the NBA draft, here are more highlights from Saunders’ conversation with O’Connor.
On how he would describe his playing style
“I just put my whole heart and soul into this game. I love playing basketball and I love doing the things that impact winning. I shoot the ball, but I know how to get offensive rebounds and how to guard.
“... That’s just what I want people to take out of my game, is it doesn’t matter where you’re from or whatever, where you’re measuring at or whatever, you can just go and put your whole heart into this game and have great impact on the game because of that.”
On how his shooting improved each year at BYU
“I think just (gaining) experience is a real thing, and having to go from high school to being in a stadium packed full of people and having to handle all that pressure, I just think I honestly got used to it and I just learned how to handle all that pressure better.
“I had two different college coaches and really appreciated the different things that they taught me. I appreciate how (Kevin Young) helped get me to my spots to where I’ve been effective (shooting from) my whole life. Just his way to help me get to those spots is one of the reasons why I’m here.”
On how Kevin Young convinced him to remain at BYU
“His pitch to me was really twofold, ‘I’m going to help you become a better closeout player ... and then two, I’m going to help you become elite at coming off ball screens and reading the defense.’
“Essentially taking that and him explaining how he was going to do that, coming from his background, it was really hard to pass up on. I want to have a long career in the NBA, and he essentially helped create a great foundation to move into this next level.”
On his Latter-day Saint mission experience
“I’m mentally stronger because of those two years. I think (the mission) played an incredibly huge role in why I’m here and why I believe I can make a great impact at the next level.
“It’s different when your whole focus is not basketball, you know, and I chose to do that. I chose to step away for two years and learned all the life lessons and all the off-court stuff.
“... Those character-building moments for me of having to choose to get up earlier, get my work in, knowing that I was going to be uncomfortable all day and I was going to have to get out of my comfort zone all day, I mean, I look back (at that) with a lot of fondness for what it taught me, just the daily grind and loving the grind.”
On his torn ACL recovery
“In addition to all of my rehab, I’ve put on some good upper body, lean muscle pounds. I’m going to come out of this with a stronger upper body and more athletic because of the details I’m putting into my (physical therapy).
“But the two skill-wise things (I’m working on) are better touch from around the hoop and improve my touch and handling (the ball) better. I’ve been on the road a lot lately, but I’m in the gym and working on my handles and working on my touch. I’m not able to go play a five-on-five game or whatever, or even get in a real coming off screens workout, but yet I can control my dribbling and how much I’m handling the rock and work to improve that.”
On if he cares about his draft position
“I think before my injury it would have mattered more, but now I’m trying to go to the right team and get in the right situation. I don’t actually care where or what number I get drafted, you know?
“I’m trying to trying to find a good contract and a great team that values the things that I value and where there’s an opportunity.”
On why basketball matters to him
“I’ve dedicated so much of my life to this game. It’s not only brought me my wife, but it’s taken me around the world and connected me with so many people that have helped me along my journey.
“I love that I get to dedicate so much of my life to this game and something that I get to work at and do imperfectly, but try to just give my soul to this thing.”
