PROVO, Utah – BYU’s Richie Saunders was named the Big 12 Player of the Week for a second consecutive week, the league announced on Monday afternoon.
Saunders becomes the fourth different player this season to win the award multiple times after averaging 19.5 points per game where the nationally-ranked Cougars extend their win streak to six games with victories over Arizona State and West Virginia. He shot 53.6 percent from the field, 46.2 percent from three and 75.0 percent from the free throw line.
Richie Saunders' journey with BYU Basketball started with cherished moments spent attending games with his grandfather. His aspiration to play for BYU inspired him to develop a guiding creed that shapes both his athletic and personal life. pic.twitter.com/F7u2N6fb6K
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) February 28, 2025
In Wednesday’s 91-81 victory at Arizona State, Saunders became the first Cougar to score 20-plus in three consecutive games since 2018, finishing with a game-high 26 points. The junior from Riverton, Utah also tied a career-high six 3-pointers.
Saunders scored eight of his 13 points in the first half of BYU’s 77-56 win over West Virginia, going 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line. It was the 21st time the junior has scored in double figures this season, the same amount he scored in his first two seasons in Provo combined.
The Cougars return to action on Tuesday, March 4, with a Top 25 matchup against Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. Tip is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2.