BYU Star Richie Saunders Out for Season After Tearing ACL

Saunders suffered the season-ending injury just seconds into overtime win over Colorado.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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BYU guard Richie Saunders, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL in the opening moments of the Cougars' overtime victory against Colorado on Saturday night. Saunders, a senior, went down hard under the basket on BYU's first possession and had to be helped off the court.

Why it matters

Saunders is the heart and soul of the BYU basketball team, and his loss is a major blow to the Cougars' NCAA Tournament hopes. The team was already reeling from a recent rough stretch, and now must find a way to replace Saunders' production and leadership as they face a tough upcoming schedule against ranked opponents.

The details

Saunders crashed to the floor awkwardly under the rim just seconds into the overtime period, kicking the ball out after driving to the basket. He remained down for several minutes before being helped to the locker room. BYU coach Kevin Young said Saunders' injury "sucked the life out of the gym" and that he never wants to see an injury to "someone who's the heart and soul of our team."

  • Saunders went down on the team's first possession of overtime on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Saunders announced on social media on Sunday, February 16, 2026 that he had torn his ACL and would miss the rest of the season.

The players

Richie Saunders

A senior guard for BYU who was the team's leading scorer and rebounder, and was named first-team All-Big 12 last season.

Kevin Young

The head coach of the BYU men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers. They mean more than you know. To end my BYU career like this is heartbreaking. 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.”

— Richie Saunders (Instagram)

“I think it sucked the life out of the gym, if I'm being honest. You never want to see an injury to any player, but definitely [not] to someone who's the heart and soul of our team [and] bleeds BYU blue. Just didn't like seeing it.”

— Kevin Young, BYU Head Coach (The Associated Press)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.