In an offseason where BYU Men's Basketball signed the likes of AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright lll, perhaps the biggest offseason victory was getting leading scorer Richie Saunders back for a senior season.
The first team all-Big 12 member garnered some draft buzz for 2025, but ultimately decided to return to a potential preseason top-five team.
On Tuesday, Yahoo Sports NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor joined BYU Sports Nation on BYUtv and made a bold claim about the potential all-American.
"I had him as an early second-round pick, late first-round pick," O'Connor said. "I know he's older, but he could play himself into that first-round conversation."
Saunders, who shot a staggering 51.8% from the field and 43.2% from deep, faced hesitation from NBA front offices due to him being a 23-year-old senior.
"When you think about the energy that he brings, the shooting he brings, the defense he brings, Richie Saunders has everything," O'Connor said.
"You see these teams in the playoffs right now... you can't be a weak link. Richie Saunders is not a weak link. He is a strength for your team, he enhances your stars, and he can get buckets himself. I think that guy's going to be a player for a long, long time."
As far as player comparisons, O'Connor is reminded of one Cougar legend who played a key role on multiple championship teams.
"I know it's probably a lazy BYU comparison, but I think there's shades of Danny Ainge with the energy and shooting that he brings," O'Connor added.
While Saunders faces an uphill climb being a 24-year-old entering the draft, if he can maintain his level of play and BYU manages to have a successful season, Saunders could very well hear his name called in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Even if he goes undrafted, analysts like O'Connor believe that he can carve out a spot in the league.