NBA Comparison: Gradey Dick / Craig Ehlo

StrengthS: A highly productive shooting guard and one of the premier perimeter marksmen available in the 2026 NBA Draft class … Proven scorer who averaged 18.0 points per game as a senior while playing a major role for one of college basketball’s top programs … Possesses excellent shooting range and projects as an immediate floor-spacing threat at the next level … Deadly catch-and-shoot weapon who consistently punishes defenses for losing track of him off the ball … Knocked down 43.2 percent of his three-point attempts as a junior and finished his collegiate career as a 38.7 percent three-point shooter while ranking among BYU’s all-time leaders in three-point makes … Has a quick, compact release and displays confidence shooting from well beyond the college line … Excellent free throw shooter whose 83.5 and 81.7 percent marks over the past two seasons further reinforce the sustainability of his shooting profile … Shows strong feel for the game and consistently makes smart offensive decisions … Understands spacing, timing, and how to move without the ball to create opportunities for himself and teammates … Competitive player with a gym-rat mentality and a reputation for constant improvement … Good passer for a shooting guard, averaging 2.1 assists per game as a senior while making sound reads within the flow of the offense … Displays solid touch around the basket and can finish efficiently when he gains an advantage … Better athlete than often credited for, showing enough bounce to finish above the rim when attacking open lanes … Effective transition player who runs the floor well and knows how to capitalize on defensive breakdowns … Strong rebounder for his position, pulling down 5.8 rebounds per game as a senior … Defensive instincts stand out, evidenced by his 1.7 steals per game, as he anticipates passing lanes well and consistently generates extra possessions … Possesses very good physical dimensions for an NBA shooting guard … Measured 6’5” barefoot with a 6’8.75” wingspan and 8’6.50” standing reach at the NBA Draft Combine, giving him solid size and length for the position … While not an elite athlete, his frame, reach, and overall physical profile are more than adequate for an NBA two-guard and should help him compete against professional wings … Experienced, mature prospect who should be capable of contributing immediately in a complementary role.

Weaknesses:  While productive and highly skilled, Saunders lacks the elite physical tools typically associated with NBA shooting guards … Does not possess a particularly explosive first step and can struggle to create separation off the dribble against athletic defenders … Most effective attacking when he has momentum rather than breaking defenders down from a standstill … Overall athleticism grades as average by NBA standards despite being somewhat underrated in that area … Lacks top-end speed and lateral quickness, which could create challenges on both ends of the floor … May struggle against NBA length and athleticism, particularly when attempting to create his own offense … Ball-handling remains an area for improvement, as he is not a natural shot creator and can become limited when forced into heavy self-creation responsibilities … Turnover numbers are acceptable but not exceptional, averaging 1.6 turnovers per game as a senior … Defensive anticipation is strong, but questions remain regarding his ability to consistently contain quicker and more explosive perimeter players … Coming off a significant knee injury, which introduces uncertainty regarding his long-term durability and whether it could impact his quickness and mobility moving forward … Already 24 years old, making him one of the older prospects in the class and potentially limiting perceptions of upside compared to younger draft entrants.

Outlook: Saunders projects as an early second-round selection and one of the safer role-player bets available in the 2026 NBA Draft … His combination of shooting, feel, experience, competitiveness, and offensive efficiency should translate well into a complementary NBA role … BYU’s drop in competitiveness following his injury highlighted just how important he was to the program and underscored his overall impact beyond the box score … Expected to be back on the floor by the start of the NBA season, he profiles as a rotational wing capable of providing immediate floor spacing, smart team play, and instant offense off the bench … Teams seeking shooting and maturity could view him as a plug-and-play contributor with the potential to carve out a lengthy professional career … As a 24-year-old prospect coming off a significant knee injury, Saunders may require some patience early in his professional career as he works his way back to full strength and adjusts to the speed and physicality of the NBA game … While those factors could limit his immediate impact and lower his draft ceiling, the talent, shooting ability, feel for the game, and overall skill level are clearly present … If he makes a full recovery and regains his previous form, he has the tools to establish himself as a valuable rotational piece capable of providing floor spacing, smart team play, and reliable offensive production at the next level.

Notes;  Measurements: 6’5.00” barefoot, 204.8 lbs, 6’8.75” wingspan, 8’6.50” standing reach … Did not participate in athletic testing at the 2026 NBA Draft Combine due to injury … Born: September 19, 2001 (Riverton, Utah) … Senior season stats: 25 GP, 31.4 MPG, 48.9 FG%, 37.6 3PT%, 81.7 FT%, 5.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.3 BPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.6 TOPG, 18.0 PPG …Suffered a season-ending torn ACL 25 games into the 2025-2026 college basketball season … Appeared in 128 career games at BYU, including 63 starts … Finished his career averaging 12.1 points per game while shooting 50.2 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from three, and 78.8 percent from the free throw line … Scored over 1,500 career points and ranks among BYU’s all-time leaders in three-pointers made, steals, games played, and scoring … Recorded 26 career 20-point games and three 30-point performances, highlighted by a 33-point outing at No. 14 Kansas … Ranked 8th in BYU history in career three-point field goals made (205), 12th in career steals (133), 17th in scoring (1,544 points), and 20th in career free throw percentage (.788) … Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in April 2026 … Married to former BYU women’s basketball player Sierra Johnson … Served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Seattle, Washington … Vice President of the Fouss Foundation, a non-profit organization helping build basketball courts in Mali … Taught himself woodworking and wood turning … Speaks English, Malagasy, Spanish, and French … Great-grandson of Ore-Ida founder and Tater Tot creator Nephi Grigg … Spent his final two high school seasons at Wasatch Academy … Named the 2020 Best of State Male Athlete and was rated as a three-star recruit in the Class of 2020.

Aran Smith 6/17/26