What to know about Grizzlies draft pick Richie Saunders, including Tater Tots

The Memphis Grizzlies selected BYU guard Richie Saunders with the No. 32 overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft on June 24.

>Saunders joins Cameron Boozer (No. 3) and Karim Lopez (No. 21) in this year's Grizzlies class. General manager Zach Kleiman said after the first round on June 23 that Memphis would consider trade offers for the No. 32 pick, but he ultimately decided to stay there and take Saunders.

>He's a two-time All-Big 12 selection who played all four years of his collegiate career for the Cougars.

>Here's what to know about Saunders.

Saunders is coming off a major injurySaunders was in the midst of his best season at BYU in 2026 when he tore his ACL in February.

>The injury likely caused him to drop in the draft, and he'll probably miss the start of the 2026-27 NBA season.

Saunders is a dynamic 3-point shooterThe 6-foot-5, 205-pounder saw his role grow every year at BYU. He shot 43.2% from beyond the arc in his junior season, and his scoring average increased each season. He averaged 18.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during his injury-shortened senior season.

>Saunders is already 24 after serving a mission and then using all four years of his collegiate eligibility.

>The Grizzlies have been highly successful at evaluating second-round talent the past few seasons. GG Jackson, Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer all have proved to be rotation-caliber players after being taken in the second round.

Saunders has a very specific connection to Tater TotsWhile at BYU, Saunders signed an NIL deal with Ore-Ida.

>It wasn't just a random connection — Saunders' great-grandfather, Francis Nephi Grigg, co-founded the company in the 1950s. The company is famous for, among other things, inventing the Tater Tot.

>During BYU's NCAA Tournament run in 2025, the company briefly changed its name to Ore-Richie as part of the marketing deal. So, if Tater Tots suddenly start popping up around FedExForum — well, there's a reason for it.

>Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

>This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 3 things to know about Grizzlies draft pick Richie Saunders