MUScoop Wiki
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NCAA Division I Sports
Discontinued Sports
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MUScoop Wiki
Starting Points
NCAA Division I Sports
Discontinued Sports
Club Sports
Athletic Department
Nicknames
Traditions
Official Links
In June 2007, Saunders was arrested and charged with the drug possession. Moreover, while he was waiting for the NCAA Clearinghouse to verify his eligibility, Marquette decided to not admit him due to academic concerns - not the drug charges - as Coach Tom Crean emphasized in an interview.
Coincidentally, not admitting Saunders to Marquette solved what might have been a very difficult situation: more scholarships (four) offered than available (three). Saunders, Trevor Mbakwe, Scott Christopherson, and Patrick Hazel were members of Marquette's 2006-07 recruiting class though only three scholarships were available (since Dominic James returned to the team for the 2007-08 season).
Shortly after Marquette denied his entrance, Duquesne accepted him.
Saunders was a 4-star recruit on Scout.com, and was rated the #22 PF in the 2007 class.
As a junior, Saunders was on the 2005 Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) All-State First Team after helping Crosby to a 27-0 overall record and a CIAC Division I state title. He would see that unbeaten streak continue through his senior season and reach 61 consecutive regular season victories until Wilby upset Crosby in a state tournament semi-final. Saunders averaged 22.5 ppg, 15.8 rpg, and 8 bpg as a senior.
He decided to spend a “fifth year” at Notre Dame Preparatory, a private school basketball powerhouse in Fitchburg, Massachusetts where current teammate Lazar Hayward also matriculated. In his only year at Notre Dame Prep, Saunders averaged 10.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game as his team finished 32-3 and won the national prep-school championship.
In November 2006, he committed to Marquette over Providence.