Richie Saunders Out for Season After Torn ACL
BYU guard Richie Saunders will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL early in the Cougars’ overtime victory against Colorado, the program announced Sunday (ET). Saunders, one of BYU’s veteran leaders and its third-leading scorer this season, is facing what is likely the end of his college career and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
How the injury unfolded
The injury occurred just 45 seconds into the game’s first possession when Saunders drove to the rim and kicked the ball back out to teammate Keba Keita. He fell awkwardly, grabbed his right calf and remained under the basket for several minutes before BYU trainers helped him to his feet. The Cougars completed a 90-86 overtime victory, but the emotional tenor of the arena shifted immediately.
Head coach Kevin Young said after the game that the moment "sucked the life out of the gym, " calling Saunders "the heart and soul of our team" and noting how difficult it was to watch such a pivotal player go down. Saunders later confirmed the diagnosis on social media, calling the end to his BYU season and possibly his collegiate career "heartbreaking" and reflecting on how much representing the school has meant to him.
Immediate impact on BYU’s roster and outlook
Saunders had been BYU’s third-leading scorer this season, averaging 18 points per game on 48. 9 percent shooting in 25 appearances. His ability to stretch defenses from deep, haul in offensive rebounds and provide vocal leadership made him a central piece of a roster that entered the season with high expectations and legitimate hopes for a deep postseason run.
With Saunders sidelined, the team will lean more heavily on top scorers AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright III, who combined for nearly 60 points in the win over Colorado. Teammates and coaches now face a pressing roster question: who can reliably replace Saunders’ perimeter shooting, offensive rebounding and on-court leadership in late-game situations? Junior and bench contributors are likely to see expanded roles as the Cougars seek to maintain their standing in a competitive conference stretch run.
Guard AJ Dybantsa reflected on the loss, saying "It’s definitely hard, " and noting Saunders’ contributions both on the scoreboard and as a veteran presence. The team’s chemistry and rotation flexibility will be tested in the weeks ahead as the staff adjusts strategy and minutes to compensate for the absence.
Saunders’ legacy and pro prospects
Saunders built an impressive body of work over four seasons in Provo. He appeared in 128 games, earned first-team all-conference honors last season and was previously voted the league’s Most Improved Player after averaging 16. 5 points and nearly 43. 2 percent from three-point range the year before. Across his BYU tenure he scored over 1, 500 points, ranked among program leaders in three-pointers made and left a notable mark in plus-minus metrics.
Before the injury, multiple draft evaluations had projected Saunders as a potential late second-round pick in the 2026 NBA draft. While the torn ACL complicates immediate entry plans, teams will weigh his shooting profile, competitive grit and past production against medical timelines and recovery projections when evaluating his pro future.
For BYU, the immediate challenge is clear: regroup around remaining stars, find reliable rotation pieces to replicate Saunders’ spacing and toughness, and maintain the defensive and offensive identity that made the Cougars a preseason top-10 consideration. For Saunders, the focus will shift to surgery, rehabilitation and the long road back to full strength.
