Richie Saunders

Richie Saunders is an American professional basketball player who plays guard for the Memphis Grizzlies. Born September 19, 2001, he rose through the college ranks at Brigham Young University, where his relentless energy and defensive tenacity made him a fan favorite. As a rookie on a two-way contract, Saunders splits time between the Grizzlies and their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, bringing the same hustle that defined his college career. His game is built on effort, three-point shooting, and a willingness to do the dirty work, qualities that have already endeared him to Memphis fans.[edit]

Saunders grew up in Riverton, Utah, and attended Riverton High School, where he stood out on the basketball court. Despite his talent, he received no Division I scholarship offers out of high school. He walked on at Brigham Young University, meaning he joined the team without an athletic scholarship. His work ethic in practice quickly caught the coaching staff's attention, and he earned a scholarship after his freshman season. Before his college career began, he served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salvador, Brazil, where he learned Portuguese and matured both personally and spiritually. That experience shaped his disciplined approach to the game.[edit]

Saunders played three seasons for the BYU Cougars from 2021 to 2024. He emerged as a key starter in his junior season, averaging 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while becoming known for his clutch plays and defensive hustle. After the 2023-24 season, he declared for the NBA draft but went undrafted. The Memphis Grizzlies signed him to a two-way contract in summer 2024, allowing him to split time between the NBA and the G League. He made his NBA debut in the 2024-25 season, appearing in several games and showcasing his three-point shooting and defensive versatility. His professional career is still in its early stages, with his primary focus on earning a permanent roster spot and developing his game at the highest level.[edit]

Saunders is known as a high-energy, defensive-minded guard. Media and fans describe him as a "glue guy" who dives for loose balls, takes charges, and brings relentless effort. His social media presence is professional and focused on basketball, family, and faith, avoiding controversy. He has no official fandom name, but Grizzlies fans have embraced him for his hustle. His playing style draws comparisons to a younger version of NBA role players known for doing the little things.[edit]

Richie Saunders commands a following defined by regional loyalty and the specific trajectory of a rookie navigating professional basketball. His audience consists primarily of supporters from his hometown of Riverton, Utah, and alumni of Brigham Young University who witnessed his collegiate ascent. While he maintains a social media presence with nearly thirty thousand followers, this engagement remains typical for an athlete in transition rather than a dedicated movement capable of organizing large-scale campaigns or rituals. There is no formal name for his fanbase, nor are there documented projects, birthday billboards, or charity drives attributed to a collective Saunders fandom. The narrative surrounding him is strictly biographical, focusing on his athletic milestones and recent setbacks rather than cultural mythology or viral folklore. As of August 2026, the iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated Richie Saunders but determined that he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings.[edit]

Saunders served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salvador, Brazil, where he achieved fluency in Portuguese. He began his college career at BYU as a walk-on before securing a full scholarship. Teammates refer to him by the nickname Rico. Growing up, he cited Kobe Bryant as his favorite NBA player. Outside of basketball, he enjoys fishing and hiking in the mountains of Utah and owns a golden retriever named Champ. In February 2026, Saunders suffered a season-ending torn ACL, a verified medical event that halted his college campaign just prior to being selected 32nd overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2026 NBA Draft. He was also named Second Team All-Big 12 and received the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year award that same year. These events constitute his primary public record, with no widely retold legends or extraordinary crowd reactions emerging to define his early career.[edit]

Saunders was raised in a close-knit family in Riverton, Utah. His parents, Mark and Julie Saunders, have been supportive of his basketball journey. He has two older sisters, Emily and Sarah, and a younger brother, Josh. The family is active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Saunders currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee, during the NBA season and returns to Utah in the offseason to spend time with his family.[edit]

Saunders played under head coach Kevin Young at BYU and currently plays for Taylor Jenkins with the Memphis Grizzlies. His star teammate is Ja Morant.[edit]

There is no publicly available information about Richie Saunders' dating history. He has never been married, engaged, or linked to any romantic partner in credible sources. His social media and interviews focus exclusively on basketball, family, and his faith. As of 2026, he is reported to be single.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Richie Saunders' net worth stands at $1 Million as of 2026. This valuation is anchored by his two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, which provides an annual salary of approximately $578,000 should he remain on the NBA roster for the full season, with prorated compensation applied during stints with the Memphis Hustle. He currently lacks major endorsement deals or independent business ventures. This modest figure aligns with his status as a rookie on a non-guaranteed contract, though it is projected to increase should he secure a standard NBA agreement in the future.[edit]