Richie Saunders Makes BYU History With Big 12 Player Of The Week Honor

PROVO, Utah – Richie Saunders made BYU basketball history.

The junior standout is the first men’s BYU basketball player to receive Big 12 Conference Player of the Week honors.

BYU joined the Big 12 in 2023.

Richie Saunders becomes the first BYU basketball player to earn Big 12 Player of the Week since the Cougars joined the league in 2023. https://t.co/90faRTqoVE

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) February 24, 2025

Richie Saunders becomes the first BYU player to earn Big 12 Player of the Week

The Cougars have produced Newcomer of the Week recipients in the Big 12 twice with current freshman Egor Demin. However, until Monday, BYU never produced a Player of the Week in the power league.

Saunders is the first BYU men’s basketball to earn a Conference Player of the Week honor since center Fousseyni Traore earned WCC Player of the Week in 2021.

Saunders was excellent in BYU’s two wins over Kansas and Arizona, averaging 22.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals.

He knocked down two free throws to give BYU the upset win at Arizona with three seconds remaining.

“I just think his play speaks for itself,” said BYU head coach Kevin Young on Richie Saunders after being named Big 12 POTW. “He’s been extremely consistent in really all facets of the game, across the board all year. He’s helped us beat some really good teams. The more exposure he gets, I think more people are starting to see what I feel like I’ve known for a while.”

Saunders has been efficient all season for BYU. But last week was some of the Riverton native’s best work. Saunders was 10-of-11 from inside the arc and 7-of-12 from 3-point range in the two wins over blue blood Big 12 brands.

The wins gave BYU back-to-back victories over Top 25 teams for the first time since 1988.

BYU’s impressive week, led by Saunders, put the Cougars in the AP Top 25 poll for the first time this season.

Richie Saunders and BYU will return to action on Wednesday when they take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe.

Delaney Gibb continues to pile up Big 12 Women’s Newcomer of the Week honors

For the ninth time this season, BYU women’s basketball star freshman Delaney Gibb earned Big 12 Newcomer of the Week. Despite a winless week against Arizona and Arizona State, Gibb averaged 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.5 steals.

February 2⃣4⃣ #Big12WBB Freshman of the Week 🏅

Delaney Gibb | @byuwbb pic.twitter.com/ac8hRNSXTT

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 24, 2025

BYU women’s basketball takes on Kansas on Senior Night at the Marriott Center on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Big 12 Basketball Player of the Week recognition: 2024-25 season

Nov. 11: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas

Nov. 18: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas

Nov. 25: Norchad Omier, Baylor

Dec. 2: Keshon Gilbert, Iowa State & Javon Small, West Virginia

Dec. 9: Keshon Gilbert, Iowa State

Dec. 16: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas

Dec. 23: Darrion Williams, Texas Tech

Jan. 6: Javon Small, West Virginia

Jan. 13: Curtis Jones, Iowa State

Jan. 20: Javon Small, West Virginia

Jan. 27: Milos Uzan, Houston

Feb. 3: Caleb Love, Arizona

Feb. 10: David N’Guessan, Kansas State

Feb. 17: JT Toppin, Texas Tech

Feb. 24: Richie Saunders, BYU

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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