BYU Guard Richie Saunders Enters Transfer Portal

After Dallin Hall and Aly Khalifa hit the transfer portal Friday, Richie Saunders followed suit and entered the transfer portal as well. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-5 sophomore was a fan favorite in two seasons at BYU. Saunders is one of the best “glue guys” in the country with his relentless motor. Saunders took a jump in his second season, averaging 9.6 points and 4.1 rebounds on 52% shooting from the floor and 36% from three. His 64% two-point percentage was 79th nationally.

Like Hall, whoever BYU hires next will try to retain Saunders. Saunders should get good NIL opportunities and will have plenty of good options. I view Saunders as one of the building blocks of the program, and his departure would no doubt be a big blow to BYU.

This may not be the end of transfer portal entrants, either. This is a time of uncertainty for players, so entering the portal gives them a chance to weight their options. Nearly every program has an exodus of players to the portal when a coach leaves, and I don’t think BYU is much different.