BROOKLYN — Richie Saunders is a Memphis Grizzly.
BYU’s four-year star has been selected by Memphis with the No. 32 pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft, becoming the 20th Cougars player drafted since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976.
BYU fans were understandably excited about Saunders’ draft success. Here are some of the most notable reactions online.
Welcome to the 〽️, Richie Saunders! pic.twitter.com/GFu7ErWehr
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) June 25, 2026
RICHIE TO MEMPHIS! pic.twitter.com/FYst7asGbK
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) June 25, 2026
Richie Saunders is heading to Memphis! pic.twitter.com/TUqLB8HhzU
— Hype Train Podcast (@thehypetrainpod) June 25, 2026
The moment Richie heard his name called 🥹 pic.twitter.com/0NlsFy1vV2
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) June 25, 2026
Pick No. 32 belongs to Richie Saunders❗️@BYUMBB 🤝@memgrizz
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) June 25, 2026
📺 2026 #NBADraft on ESPN pic.twitter.com/uwmJCoVu9E
"Richie Saunders is going to be an NBA player for a long time."@AdamFinkelstein loves this pick from the Grizzlies. 👀 pic.twitter.com/R5a8Q0x1Oq
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 25, 2026
Richie Saunders getting drafted #32 overall as a 25 YO (when the season starts) and coming off an ACL injury speaks to how highly NBA teams view him. I have no doubt he’ll have a long NBA career.
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) June 25, 2026
I love Richie Saunders. When he appeared on my podcast, he discussed his recovery from a torn ACL and said when he returns to the court he’s most looking forward to using a swim move on an opponent to crash the offensive glass. That mentality sums him up. A total maniac on the… https://t.co/s77NkCehNV pic.twitter.com/vBq9iVy9QM
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) June 25, 2026
BYU sharpshooter Richie Saunders is the second pick of Round 2.
— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) June 25, 2026
Four year college basketball legend. Winning player heading to Memphis. pic.twitter.com/CM3c363btd
Dreams turned into reality for Richie Saunders 🤩@BYUMBB | @memgrizz
— Priority Sports (@PrioritySports) June 25, 2026
🎥 @PriorityBkball pic.twitter.com/qefKl6T4rt
What a beautiful opportunity for Richie and Sierra! Hard work, discipline, perseverance, facing adversity with deep courage—I am so proud of Richie Saunders! Now the work begins! pic.twitter.com/wgCRLurz1z
— Rich Saunders (@RichSaunders10) June 25, 2026
There is not a player more deserving than Richie Saunders pic.twitter.com/VHaFKEsqxp
— Center Street Media (@CenterStMedia) June 25, 2026
I hope within a couple years, every barbecue joint in Memphis is serving brisket and pulled pork with a side of tater tots in honor of Richie Saunders.
— Brigham's Burner (@FiredUpCoug) June 25, 2026
PROvo. Congrats to the Tater Tot king, Richie Saunders! Memphis got a DUDE. #GoCougs 🤙
— Jonny Linehan (@jlinehan9) June 25, 2026
Richie Saunders will be better than Austin Reaves
— Top Tier BYU (@TopTierCougs) June 25, 2026
Jazz Summer League is going to be a blast this year with the Grizzlies and Richie Saunders in town.
— Bill (@Billgetzfroggy) June 25, 2026
Fun fact: New Grizzlies guard Richie Saunders' great-grandfather was the inventor of Tater Tots. 😅 pic.twitter.com/luMPtMqbqN
— Underdog (@Underdog) June 25, 2026