PROVO, Texas – BYU men’s basketball’s Richie Saunders, Dawson Baker and Robert Wright III have been named to the 2025-26 Big 12 Academic Winter Team.
Saunders and Baker earn Academic All-Big 12 accolades for a second consecutive year, while Wright III adds another academic accolade to his resume after being named an Academic All-American earlier this month by College Sports Communicators.
To qualify for the Fall Academic Team, student-athletes must maintain a 3.20 GPA or higher, either cumulative or over the two previous semesters, and must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s scheduled contests. Freshman are not eligible, while transfers in their first year of academic residence are eligible. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.
Saunders finished his four-year career in Provo 17th on the all-time scoring list with 1,544 points. The Riverton native averaged 18.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as a senior, shooting 48.9 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from three and 81.7 percent from the free throw line before suffering a season-ending injury against Colorado.
Wright III averaged 18.1 points and 4.6 assists per game in his first season as a Cougar, earning NABC Second Team All-District and Third Team All-Big 12 accolades. His 632 points are the 20th most in a single season in program history as the sophomore scored in double figures 35 times, including a pair of games of 30-plus, highlighted by a 39-point performance in an overtime win over Colorado.
Baker appeared in six games, including two starts, before suffering a season-ending injury in BYU’s win over Miami at the Terry’s Chocolate ESPN Events Invitational. He averaged 7.5 points per game, shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 47.4 percent from three and 88.9 percent from the free throw line. He scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 12 points against Holy Cross and No. 3 UConn.