The Memphis Grizzlies have signed Richie Saunders to a two-way NBA contract after the 2026 second-round pick received clearance to increase his on-court activities.
Shams Charania reported the move on Saturday, November 7, noting that Saunders is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in February.
The signing gives Memphis an opportunity to bring Saunders into team practices as he continues his rehabilitation. His clearance represents a step forward after the knee injury interrupted his final college season.
Saunders played four seasons at BYU, improving his production each year. He averaged 18 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games during the 2025-26 campaign.
The forward shot 48.9% from the field, 37.6% from three-point range and 81.7% at the free-throw line. He also averaged 1.7 steals in 31.3 minutes per game.
His strongest previous season came in 2024-25, when he posted 16.6 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 42.2% from beyond the arc. Across his final two BYU seasons, Saunders established himself as a productive perimeter scorer.
Memphis selected Saunders with the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The two-way contract adds another young player to a Grizzlies roster that is 6-3 early in the 2026-27 season.
The Grizzlies entered Saturday with a 6-3 record. Saunders joins a roster that includes several young players, including Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey.
