For the record, I am much more of a college basketball enthusiast than an NBA Draft expert. One thing that has stood out to me throughout this draft cycle, however, is how little Richie Saunders has been discussed relative to his production. Obviously, age, injury concerns, and a lack of elite physical tools have all limited his draft buzz. Those concerns are fair. Still, Saunders was nothing short of one of the most productive and efficient scorers in college basketball last season. Richie Saunders was one of only 10 Power Conference players last season to post a True Shooting Percentage of at least 63% while attempting 8.5 or more three-pointers per 40 minutes. Among that group, he ranked second in points per 40 minutes. Additionally, Saunders was one of only two players in that same group to also post a Free Throw Attempt Rate of at least 35%, highlighting not only his perimeter shooting ability but also his effectiveness at generating rim pressure. He also finished an impressive 67% of his attempts at the rim. The combination of high-volume shooting, elite efficiency, and consistent rim pressure provides a strong statistical foundation for his NBA projection. Saunders projects as a prototypical floor-spacing possession finisher at the NBA level. An overwhelming 90.5% of his field goal attempts last season came either at the rim or from beyond the three-point line, reflecting the type of shot profile NBA teams covet for his archetype. While Saunders was assisted on the majority of his made baskets, the numbers do not suggest a player who is completely dependent on others to create offense. 34.1% of his made two-point field goals were assisted (64th percentile) and 92.2% of his made three-pointers were assisted (65th percentile), reinforcing his projection as a high-level off-ball floor spacer. Saunders also converted 44.1% of his corner three-point attempts, another indicator that his shooting should translate well to an NBA role. Defense is unlikely to be Saunders' calling card at the next level, but there are indicators that suggest he can hold his own. While steal percentage can sometimes be misleading, Saunders posted a strong 3.1% STL%, which, when paired with his reported 5-inch wingspan, points toward solid anticipation and the ability to disrupt passing lanes on the perimeter. Additionally, his 0.93x Personal Foul Efficiency (90th percentile) is noteworthy. Saunders consistently avoided unnecessary fouls while remaining engaged defensively, a valuable trait for role players expected to stay on the floor. When projecting Saunders' offensive role, players such as Cameron Johnson, AJ Green, Max Strus, and Will Richard come to mind. This comparison is not necessarily about overall talent level, but rather the archetype: floor-spacing wings who thrive playing alongside higher-usage creators, make quick decisions, punish defensive mistakes, and provide offensive value without requiring heavy on-ball responsibility. With Saunders on the floor, BYU was better in nearly every meaningful offensive category. Most notably the following listed below. On/Off ORTG: 125.3/114.3 TS%: 59.6%/56.9% A:T Ratio: 1.39/1.06 The offensive improvements are significant, but what may be even more impressive is Saunders' ability to elevate the players around him. There may be no better example than fellow BYU star and potential No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa saw increases in TS%, 2P%, 3P%, and FTAr when sharing the floor with Saunders, illustrating the value of Saunders' spacing, gravity, and willingness to play within a complementary role. Elite complementary players are difficult to find, and Saunders consistently demonstrated an ability to make life easier for those around him. Saunders' floor-spacing ability is amplified by the speed of his release and his willingness to fire immediately off the catch. His ability to quickly get into his shot forces defenses to close out aggressively, creating additional opportunities for him to attack off the bounce. When defenders run him off the line, Saunders does an excellent job leveraging his shooting gravity to create straight-line drives to the rim. While he may not possess elite burst, he consistently capitalizes on defensive overreactions and attacks open space effectively. As someone who primarily evaluates college basketball rather than NBA draft boards, Richie Saunders has been one of the more surprising cases of this draft cycle. The concerns are understandable. He's older than the typical prospect, suffered a significant injury, and doesn't possess the type of elite physical tools that usually drive draft buzz. At the same time, it's difficult to ignore what Saunders actually produced on the court. He was one of the most efficient high-volume scorers in college basketball, combining elite shooting volume, strong rim finishing, and an ability to generate free throws at a level rarely seen from players who occupy a similar offensive role. His shot profile, floor-spacing ability, and offensive efficiency all align with the types of complementary wings that continue to carve out long NBA careers. Saunders may never be a primary creator or a player offenses are built around, but the NBA has consistently found value in wings who can space the floor, attack closeouts, make quick decisions, and fit seamlessly alongside stars. Whether he ultimately hears his name called in the late first round, second round, or enters the league through a two-way contract, Saunders feels like the type of prospect whose production and NBA-ready skill set could allow him to outperform his draft slot.

My first Substack post! (how exciting) Scouting report/NBA Draft preview on Ernest Udeh Jr. open.substack.com/pub/coachc…

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