Coming into the 2024-2025 season, BYU seemed to have two sure-fire first round draft picks with freshmen Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings. Demin's elite vision and playmaking ability and Catchings' high-level athleticism had NBA Draft scouts pining at a chance to draft one of these Cougars.
But as Big 12 play has gotten underway, and Demin and Catchings have more than struggled, a surprising name has emerged in the list of Cougar NBA hopefuls: 23-year-old Richie Saunders.
The Daily Universe talked with Jace Derryberry, an NBA Draft analyst and scout for NBA Draft on SI, to see what the NBA thinks of these three Cougars.
Egor Demin: 11.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.0 apg, 42.4% FG, 28.8% 3-pt FG
At one point early on in the season, Demin was going as high as No. 2 in certain mock drafts. His ability as a playmaker was second to none in the country and he seemed to fit in with BYU's system perfectly.
But in Demin's last eight games - all against power conferences - Demin is shooting 28.8% from the field and 11.1% from three on over four attempts per game. He is averaging 3.1 turnovers per game and the Cougars are 3-5 in that stretch.
For some extreme fans' perspectives, Demin has fallen outside the lottery altogether.
But not for Derryberry.
"You have to look big picture," Derryberry said. "His play from out of conference... he did some really special stuff. He is an extremely unique player."
"For me personally, I would pretty comfortably take him top 7-10. The base level of skills that he has with court vision is something that you want to get your hands on. He would definitely be worth a lottery pick."
"The lack of efficiency, lack of scoring he's had in Big 12 play, I'm not too upset with that. I don't think that's his game anyway."
Derryberry believes that Demin's best possible scenario is to go to a rebuilding team. One that he can get reps as a secondary creator right away.
Regardless of Demin's recent play, it seems that most scouts still have him going in the second half of the lottery.
Kanon Catchings: 9.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 40.9% FG, 32.1% 3-pt FG
Catchings, a freakishly athletic wing who came to BYU after a season of playing at Overtime Elite, is coming off his two worst games of the season.
On Saturday against TCU, Catchings was in the starting lineup, but only managed to log nine minutes and turned the ball over three times. He was replaced by Mawot Mag in the starting lineup the following game against Oklahoma State. After picking up three quick fouls, Catchings sat the majority of the game. Only seven minutes played.
"In my opinion, he entered this year a very raw prospect," Derryberry said.
"He could really benefit from coming back for a second year. If he were projected to go middle of the second round, I think coming back for a second year could change how he's viewed drastically. If he just gets stronger, fills out his frame more... he could be one of the most valued sophomores."
"The likelihood of him going in the first round is waning."
Catchings also needs to improve as a system player. "Passing, screen setting, cuts," the stuff that doesn't end up on highlight tapes.
Richie Saunders: 13.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 52.1% FG, 43.2% 3-pt FG
The surprise of BYU's season thus far has no doubt been junior guard Richie Saunders.
In his sophomore season, Saunders was an energy guy who showed flashes of being a solid 3-&-D starter, but to start the 2024-2025 season Saunders has been BYU's outright best player, and has garnered some NBA buzz.
The problem for Saunders: His age. Not many NBA teams want to spend a pick on a 23-year-old.
Where Derryberry believes Saunders can shine is as a specialty shooter.
"He can be a really niche specialty type guy," Derryberry said. "They're not gonna bring him in to try to develop as a playmaker."
"The shooting is definitely a real thing. I think he is really good at off-ball movement, really smart at navigating through screens, and stuff like that, but in terms of [draft position], not super high."
"I could definitely see him on a two-way deal serving a specialty type role... He's definitely got a chance."
What to watch for
While Demin seems to be a lock for the lottery, his play from here on out could cost him a few million dollars worth of draft position. Watch to see how he can bounce back from this tough stretch.
Catchings could benefit from coming back another year, but seems to have his eyes set on being a one-and-done prospect. He is going to have to play his way back into the starting lineup and show more of his flashes if he wants to hear his name in the first round this year.
Saunders' chances of being drafted are very slim, but he has a real shot to add something to an NBA roster in the future. All signs point to him coming back for his senior year, so Cougar fans will have to wait to see what his pro potential is.