BYU Star Richie Saunders Out For Season With Injury
Feb 15, 2026, 1:55 PM | Updated: 2:23 pm
PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball star Richie Saunders is out for the season with an ACL injury.
Saunders announced the update on his Instagram page.
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Richie Saunders suffered an ACL injury
“Unfortunate news last night — I tore my ACL, ending my season,” wrote Saunders on Instagram.
“Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. They mean more than you know.”
Saunders suffered the injury in the first minute of BYU’s overtime win against Colorado yesterday at the Marriott Center.
Initially, he was helped off the floor by BYU trainer Rob Ramos and assistant coach John Linehan, before Saunders walked on his own into the locker room.
The injury ends Saunders’ BYU and college basketball career, as he is in his senior season.
“To end my BYU career like this is heartbreaking,” Saunders said. “I’ve loved every moment and every challenge that came with representing the school I love. These past four years have shaped who I am — on and off the court.
“Cougar Nation, thank you. Through the ups and downs, you’ve stuck with me. I’ll never forget that.”
Saunders was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season and the league’s “Most Improved Player.”
Saunders was an All-Big 12 performer
The Riverton, Utah native led BYU to its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2011. This year, he was on his way towards another All-Big 12 campaign with per-game averages of 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, while shooting 48.9% from the field.
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Saunders has been trending towards being an NBA draft pick in next June’s draft. Earlier this season, Saunders scored a career-high 33 points at Kansas, with many NBA scouts and executives in attendance.
“My story has never been one of ease. And while I didn’t plan for this, my career is not over. I will return with more fight and more grit than before. My goals haven’t changed,” wrote Saunders.
“I don’t always understand why things happen the way they do, but I trust that God is in the details. I trust His plan.
“The next chapter begins the same way I’ve always lived.
“Worth With Faith.”
BYU basketball will move forward as it prepares, with AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright as the top two players.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
