Richie Saunders Selected at No. 32, Joining Memphis Grizzlies After BYU and an LDS Mission

Saunders, whose college career began after a two-year Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission, is headed to Memphis after being picked in the second round of the NBA Draft.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The NBA Draft produced a familiar two-step storyline for Richie Saunders, who went from the collegiate game to the professional level after time away on an LDS mission and four seasons at BYU. According to Yahoo Sports, Saunders was selected in the second round with the 32nd overall pick by the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night’s draft stage.

The pick came after AJ Dybantsa was selected first overall by the Washington Wizards, setting the tone for a draft that continued quickly into its early swings. Saunders’ selection placed him among the first wave of prospects from the second round, a spot reserved for teams seeking contributors who can grow into defined roles over time rather than instant starters.

Saunders’ path to the NBA began at BYU, where Yahoo Sports reports he started his collegiate career in 2022-23. The same report places his total BYU run at four years, a timeline that reflects how he balanced development in college with a longer preparatory chapter before stepping on the court full time.

Between youth basketball and college competition, Saunders completed a two-year Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission, as described in the report. That experience is often referenced in player biographies as a period that emphasizes discipline, routine, and maturity, and it helps explain why Saunders entered the BYU era when he did and why his professional timeline may look slightly different than some peers who moved straight from high school to college.

For Memphis, drafting Saunders at No. 32 indicates an investment in player development within the Grizzlies’ broader roster-building approach. While Saunders’ NBA future will depend on fit, coaching, and how quickly his game translates to a faster, more physical environment, the second-round selection suggests the team expects meaningful upside rather than a purely ceremonial pick.

What to watch next in Saunders’ transition is not only how Memphis plans to use him in training camp and summer league opportunities, but also how quickly he can adjust to the NBA’s demands on spacing, pace, and defensive assignments. If the Grizzlies can turn his college foundation into consistent production, Saunders could become one of the key mid-draft developments the team monitors as it shapes its rotation for the years ahead.

Why It Matters

A No. 32 pick typically reflects a team’s belief in developmental upside, not just immediate need-filling.
Saunders’ BYU-to-pro transition adds another data point on how college programs and mission interruptions can still align with NBA timelines.
Memphis’ selection shows the franchise’s continued focus on drafting for growth, then shaping roles through coaching and roster context.
The early question for Saunders will be how quickly he can translate his college skill set into consistent NBA minutes.

Sources

Key Facts

Richie Saunders was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft with the 32nd overall pick.
The Memphis Grizzlies made the selection, per Yahoo Sports.
AJ Dybantsa was reported as going No. 1 overall to the Washington Wizards earlier in the draft.
Yahoo Sports reports Saunders served a two-year LDS Church mission before beginning his BYU career.
Yahoo Sports reports Saunders began his college career at BYU in 2022-2023 and spent four years there.