Both AJ Dybantsa and Richie Saunders will be wearing different numbers in the NBA than they did in their time as BYU Cougars.
On Thursday, both players were introduced to local media at their new respective NBA homes after getting drafted this week — Dybantsa by the Washington Wizards and Saunders by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Dybantsa, the No. 1 overall pick in this week’s draft, is changing his number from 3 at BYU to 4. Saunders, who was taken with the 32nd pick, is going from 15 to 5.
Dybantsa explained during his introductory press conference that his new number combines his old number and the fact that he was the No. 1 pick (Trae Young wears 3 for Washington).
Saunders’ change is sadder. Since 2019, No. 15 has been occupied on the Grizzlies by Brandon Clarke, but Clarke suddenly died last month at the age of 29.