The Memphis Grizzlies selected Brigham Young University product Richie Saunders at No. 32, an intriguing addition that could pay dividends for the squad.
The Memphis Grizzlies had a busy 2026 NBA Draft, bringing in a variety of rookie talent while also striking a separate deal for big man Isaiah Stewart as the draft unfolded.
Amid all of the action, Memphis' final selection in the draft (at No. 32 overall) might get lost in the shuffle to some degree, but that shouldn't be the case.
The team selected Brigham Young University product Richie Saunders at No. 32, an intriguing addition that could pay dividends for the squad.
The bad news first: Saunders will be 25 as a rookie, and he's recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered this past season with BYU.
But there's still a lot to like about his game. At 6-foot-5, he has the size to make an impact on the wing, and he doesn't need the ball in his hands to make an impact. He is a very good off-ball shooter who knocked down 37.6 percent of his 3s as a senior and 43.2 percent of his 3s as a junior. He is also a solid slasher.
Overall, in his final season at BYU, he averaged 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He earned All-Big 12 honors two times during his tenure with the Cougars.
Saunders could make an impact for the Grizzlies once he's healthy. And while his age might've played a role in him landing in the second round instead of the first, the fact that he was a four-year player in college could mean that he's more NBA-ready than a lot of prospects who spent just a year or two at that level.
Earlier in the draft, the Grizzlies landed Duke University's Cameron Boozer at No. 3 overall and international prospect Karim López at No. 21 overall.
The Boozer pick will grab headlines. The 18-year-old landed AP Player of the Year honors nationally in his lone season at Duke and averaged 22.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. He is a very polished prospect who could become a team-altering talent for Memphis.
But the other additions can't be overlooked, including the selection of López, who is just 19 himself and played his way into a first-round selection with his international work.
All in all, the Grizzlies had an eventful draft, and they should feel good about the amount of new talent they've added to the fold this week. With any luck, it will lead to a bright future.
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