Former BYU wing Richie Saunders, the No. 32 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft, is on the training camp roster of the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies announced in a press release.

That suggests Saunders signed a G League contract and will open his first professional season as a domestic draft-and-stash prospect. That development doesn’t come as a surprise, as Saunders tore his ACL in February and could spend a significant portion of 2026/27 recovering from that major knee injury.

Players drafted as high as No. 32 typically sign three- or four-year NBA contracts and often receive multiple guaranteed seasons, but Saunders’ situation wasn’t straightforward because of his injury. It wouldn’t be shocking if he starts the season with the Hustle then signs a standard deal after the trade deadline — by that time, the Grizzlies may have opened up a roster spot or two and his ACL recovery process figures to be at or nearing an end.

Grizzlies head of basketball operations Zach Kleiman said the team was taking a “wait and see” approach to Saunders’ contract situation at media day last month. Memphis was facing a roster crunch at the time and currently has 15 players on standard deals and all three of its two-way slots filled.

A 6’5″ shooting guard, Saunders played four years of college basketball for the Cougars and made All-Big 12 teams as both a junior and senior. In 25 appearances last season, he averaged 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game, with a shooting line of .489/.376/.817.

Saunders was one of two unsigned 2026 draft picks, with the other being Vsevolod Ishchenko, who was selected 56th overall. The Russian wing’s draft rights are controlled by the Mavericks.