During the offseason, Kentucky’s new head coach, Mark Pope, assembled one of the top transfer classes in the country, leading to a strong season with multiple wins over top-ranked teams. However, he was extremely close to adding another key player—BYU’s Richie Saunders—before a last-minute change kept Saunders in Provo under first-year head coach Kevin Young.
Reflecting on his decision, Saunders described the transfer process as a whirlwind, stating that he was torn between Kentucky and BYU until the very end. Having known Pope for years, he was well aware of what playing under him would be like, making his choice even more difficult.
Last season, Saunders contributed solid numbers off the bench, but this year, he has emerged as a star in the Big 12. Leading BYU in scoring, he is averaging 16.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting an impressive 43.9% from three-point range. His consistent performances have included 22 double-digit scoring games and 10 outings with 20 or more points. Most recently, he led BYU to a thrilling double-overtime win against No. 10 Iowa State, scoring a game-high 23 points.
Saunders credited his final decision to in-depth film sessions with Kevin Young, which provided a clear vision for his development. Young’s detailed approach convinced him that BYU was the right place to continue growing as a player.
Initially, it appeared that Saunders was set to join Kentucky after visiting the school, with insiders predicting he would commit. However, while in Guatemala, he had a moment of clarity, ultimately choosing to remain with BYU. Although he believes he would have thrived at Kentucky, he has no regrets and is happy with his choice.
Following Saunders’ decision, Pope secured former Dayton sharpshooter Koby Brea, who has been a valuable addition to Kentucky’s roster. Meanwhile, another BYU transfer, Jaxson Robinson, did follow Pope to Kentucky and became a key player before a wrist injury ended his season.
Currently ranked No. 19, Kentucky looks to finish the regular season strong, with their next matchup set against No. 15 Missouri.
