Richie Saunders' Visualization, Shooting and Senior Surge Power BYU's Run

Richie Saunders spent his youth picturing the exact path he wanted: wearing the home colors, playing in Provo and becoming a defining piece of the program. That focus has translated into tangible results. A senior leader, elite perimeter shooting and steady all-around growth have made him the engine of a team with high postseason aims.

From early visualization to homegrown commitment

Encouraged early by his father, who played college basketball, Saunders embraced visualization as a daily practice. Growing up in Utah and attending games as a fan, he repeatedly imagined suiting up for the local program and stayed the course through recruiting and roster turnover. After finishing high school at Wasatch Academy and developing into a three-star prospect, he honored that vision and enrolled at the nearby university he admired as a kid.

Senior season: production and polish

As he closes out his collegiate career, Saunders has been an unmistakable presence. He earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors and was named the conference’s Most Improved Player in recent seasons. This year he’s averaging 18. 8 points, 6. 0 rebounds, 2. 2 assists and nearly two steals per game while shooting an efficient 48. 9% from the field, 37. 6% from three and 81. 7% from the free-throw line. Those numbers reflect both volume and efficiency, a rare combination that has lifted his team into the national conversation.

Three-point shooting as the carrying tool

Scouts identify a prospect’s carrying tool as the defining, transferable skill that projects to the next level. For Saunders, that tool is three-point shooting. He arrives with career marks near 39% from deep on significant volume and has maintained high percentages on increasing attempts, showcasing repeatable mechanics: compact motion, a quick, high release and deep range. He converts at strong rates in spot-up situations, catch-and-shoot moments and transition threes, traits that create instant offense and open the floor for teammates.

Movement, closeouts and finishing at the rim

Saunders pairs his perimeter gravity with smart off-ball movement and a savvy approach to closeouts. He uses shot fakes well to create pull-ups and lanes to the rim, and once he gets to the basket he converts at a high clip in halfcourt sets. He’s primarily a below-the-rim finisher but can surprise defenders with bursts of verticality and physicality when given space. That blend of shooting and scoring on attack sequences forces opponents to make difficult matchup choices.

Playmaking, pick-and-roll upside and room to grow

While not an advanced playmaker, Saunders is a reliable passer who makes correct reads on drive-and-kick opportunities and on handoffs. His three-point threat facilitates those reads, creating drop-offs and open looks for teammates. One clear developmental area is pick-and-roll shooting as the ball-handler; collegiate reps in that role have been limited. If he increases those repetitions and expands on-ball scoring versatility, his profile as a professional wing would rise substantially.

Projection and what evaluators should visualize

Saunders projects as a floor-spacing wing whose primary value at the next level will be shooting and the secondary benefits that shooting brings: better driving lanes, more open passing windows and defensive attention that can be exploited. The fundamentals are in place for a reliable rotation player on teams that prioritize spacing and movement. Continued refinement as a pick-and-roll threat and incremental gains in playmaking would boost his upside, but his established three-point stroke and consistent senior production already make a compelling case for pro consideration.

Whatever the next destination, the through-line is clear: a childhood routine of visualization turned into a sustained elite skill set and leadership role. For a player who dreamed of staying home to play, that vision has come to life in ways that matter to team success and to scouts projecting beyond college.