Who doesn’t enjoy Tater Tots?The iconic American snack was given a spotlight during the NCAA tournament in 2025.Richie Saunders emerged as a key player for BYUGettyThat’s because of BYU’s Richie Saunders — the great-grandson of Francis Nephi Grigg.The man otherwise known as F. Nephi Grigg was the inventor of the famous potato snack.Grigg and his brother co-founded the company Ore-Ida back in 1953, which owns the copyright to the name “Tater Tots” and is now worth over $1.5 billion.Saunders’ grandmother, Delma Grigg Saunders, was the eldest of F. Nephi Grigg’s eight children, making Saunders the great-grandson of the Tater Tot inventor. And the rest of the country has taken notice.The Cougars’ run to the Sweet 16 captured the imagination and Ore-Ida even announced an NIL-partnership with ‘Heir Richie.’“We’re teaming up with basketball hotshot Richie Saunders, the great-grandson of Ore-Ida founder and inventor of Tater Tots, to give away free tots if Richie’s team wins today,” the company wrote.Unfortunately the run was ended by Alabama and there was more heartbreak this year.Saunders was enjoying a superb senior season alongside potential No. 1 pick A.J. Dybantsa before suffering a cruel ACL injury in February to end his college career.The Big 12 Most Improved Player of 2025 was being touted as a potential second-round selection in the NBA Draft but his basketball future is now uncertain.He suffered a devastating injury in FebruaryGettySaunders may be able to fight his way through the G LeagueGetty“If Richie isn’t selected in this year’s NBA Draft — which now highly likely — he’ll be 25 and coming off a major injury as he tries to break into the NBA,” wrote a report in Lawless Republic. “There is very little appetite in the NBA to invest draft picks in players meeting that profile. At 25, most players have already reached their ceiling.”Saunders was extremely popular with his teammates, coaches and fans.“To end my BYU career like this is heartbreaking,” he said in an Instagram post. “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 — wearing a knee brace — was given one last walk-on in uniform alongside his wife as BYU fans chanted his name.As he shot to prominence last year he embraced his starch-lineage.NBA's GreatestGreatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor WembanyamaBest players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurusMichael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totals“It’s hilarious. I don’t know where that came out of. It came out of nowhere,” Saunders said before the 2025 tournament.“My great-grandpa founded Ore-Ida, which founded the tater tot. I don’t even know how it got started. Maybe Tyson (Jex) knows.“I don’t know where it came out, but we’ve had a lot of laughs just in our house and had a lot of tater tots.”Saunders, who served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before college, was missed as BYU crashed out in the First Round at March Madness.Dybantsa will still be a high pick. His teammate faces a long road to recovery but can’t be counted out after showing plenty of grit and determination as he continues his family’s legacy.Stay up to date with the latest from the NBA across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.