After a productive five-year collegiate career, Nevada guard Kobe Sanders is looking to continue that success and make a name for himself ahead of the 2025 NBA draft.

Sanders was an All-Mountain West third-team selection this past season, averaging 15.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals on 34.2% shooting from 3-point range. He ranked fourth in the conference in assists (147) and sixth in points (523).

The 6-foot-8 standout registered nine 20-point performances, including a season-high-tying 30 points, four rebounds and four assists on Feb. 22. He was one of four players in the Mountain West with multiple 30-point games last season.

Sanders played the first four years of college at Cal Poly in the Big West Conference, committing to head coach John Smith out of Christian High School in El Cajon, California. He averaged 6.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists over his first three years, before making a big leap as a senior.

The 22-year-old posted 19.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game during the 2023-24 season, earning All-Big West honorable mention honors. His 568 points ranked third-most in a single season in program history, while he had the second-most free throws (174).

Despite a sensational season, the Mustangs went just 4-28, and the program cut ties with Smith after a 30-117 record in five years. Sanders then entered the transfer portal as one of the top available recruits, clearing the way for him to join head coach Steve Alford at Nevada.

Sanders participated in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament as one of the top seniors in the country, averaging 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in two games. He was the Player of the Game on April 17 after erupting for 26 points and four rebounds.

He is now busy preparing for the NBA draft alongside other prospects in Dallas, Texas. He is in the gym 3-4 times a day between the court and weight room, working on various elements of his game and body ahead of private team workouts.

Rookie Wire recently caught up with Sanders to discuss his journey, making the jump to the Mountain West Conference, preparing for the upcoming draft and more.

Note: This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

How are you adjusting to your new workout schedule?

KS: The first week was rough. They put me to the test right away and tried to kill me because that’s what’s coming for me in the future. I’m just glad to have the people in my corner there to get me right. I’ve definitely seen improvement. The main focus for me is getting a little stronger, faster and some weight room aspects. I’m definitely seeing improvements there, and then obviously getting my conditioning back after taking a week off after the season. I’m definitely working.

You made a big jump in scoring from your junior year to your senior year. What enabled you to make that big leap?

KS: I definitely have to start by talking about the work. The work is always going to pay off, so putting in countless hours in the gym. I’ve been putting in work my whole life, so seeing that jump happen so drastically was definitely big for me. Then, obviously, roles change. I talked to my coach about taking the next step. He always preached my potential, and he was trying to tell me: ‘Now is your time. It is no longer potential; it is now your time.’ So definitely a lot of thanks to Coach Smith and him believing in me and pouring all he can into me. I feel like I was able to accept my role, learn from it and get better every day.

How would you describe your journey to this point?

From start to finish, @KobeSanders3 you put in the work and left your mark: 1,500+ points, 400+ rebounds, 365+ assists — an incredible college career in the books. Congrats, Kobe Sanders! The next chapter awaits. 🏀⌚ #ItsTime pic.twitter.com/uf0EbcvXTG

— On Time Agency | We Are Player-Driven (@ontimeagencygrp) March 24, 2025

KS: I started at Cal Poly, a smaller school, but coach saw a lot of potential in me and really put his faith in me. It was definitely a journey all four years, switching roles. I was just trying to be myself in every role. Then, in my last year, I kind of blossomed. It definitely wasn’t the four years I was expecting or looking for, and there were definitely some rough times — some very dark times — losing all those games, looking myself in the mirror, trying to figure out what’s wrong. Anywhere you play college basketball is really going to test how much you love the game, and just leaning on your why — my family and brother. Leaning on that and persevering, I was able to have a good senior campaign even though I definitely wanted to get more wins.

What lessons were you able to take from going through the adversity you faced there?

KS: Any time you have adversity like that and you’re able to overcome it and push through and still come out on top with all of your dignity, it’s a good sign. I saw a lot of people who were in the same situation as me — a lot of my closest friends were going in different directions — and for me to come out on top really meant a lot to me. Any time you can go through adversity like that and still stick to you and don’t waver from your progress and your daily routines. With all of those losses, it is hard to get up in the morning and say what you’re doing is still the right thing. Seeing myself go through all of that adversity definitely tells me that I can go through anything. It is those dark times that you find out most about yourself.

How important has it been to have your family in your corner through all of the ups and downs in your career?

KS: They mean everything to me. For them to know that I can play at this high level, to be always pushing it and know that I can do it, it means a lot to show them. A lot of people do it for the haters and to do it to prove the haters wrong, but I’m just trying to do it to prove my family and everybody who believed in me right.

How did playing for Nevada in the Mountain West help improve your game?

KS: (It was) definitely higher competition from what I came from, just physicality wise. There were a lot of great players who played in that conference this year. To prove to a lot of people that I could do it at a higher level was a big thing. And then playing for Coach Alford and Coach (Craig) Neal, they taught me a lot. Both of them being players who played, know the landscape at the college level and know what it takes to get to the next level. Taking in small things every day and being an everyday guy around them helps a lot and helps me prepare for where I want to go now.

What did it mean to you to be selected to the All-MWC third team?

KS: It most definitely meant a lot. Anytime that I get recognized for anything, it is a blessing. Everybody wants to be first team, and I definitely wanted to be first team, but you got to take it with a grain of salt. I’m blessed to be in the position I am. I am blessed to even get the third team. I just take it as a chip on my shoulder that next time, I want to be on the first team.

What was your experience like competing at Portsmouth?

KS: I only go through this process once, and take every day as a blessing. I was trying to enjoy every moment of it, from taking our tests, being around such high-caliber guys and enjoying my time with them. Anytime I get to touch the basketball, it is a blessing. So going out there playing my game, doing what I love and being able to put on at a higher stage, in front of all those scouts, meant a lot to me. I was definitely blessed to do it. I think I showcased well and am excited about what will come next.

How gratifying was it to have your 26-point game in front of all the scouts at Portsmouth?

Nevada’s Kobe Sanders an early Portsmouth standout, making a case for an invite to Elite Camp in Chicago. Scored 29 on 11-19 yesterday. NBA-sized SF at 6-9, one of the NCAA’s best pullup shooters (46%) + efficient PnR ballhandling wings. Evident playmaking feel, averaged 4.5 APG pic.twitter.com/hqKETgsnua

— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) April 18, 2025

KS: It was definitely a gratifying moment. I just think that all the work is paying off. To see what happens at 6 a.m. when nobody sees it, and to be able to show it at 7 p.m. when everybody is watching, means a lot. To be able to do it at a higher stage, in front of all the scouts and all of those people, and to have my family be able to watch it was definitely a blessing.

Do you feel like you’ve shown enough to earn an invitation to the G League Elite Camp or the draft combine?

KS: Most definitely! That is, obviously, the next step, and I’m preparing that I do make it there. I’m just preparing every day and working every day, expecting to go to that. Whatever happens, it was a blessing and everything happens for a reason. If I’m blessed to make it into either one of those, I’ll be ecstatic and ready to show my talents.

You had one of the best pull-up shots in the country. How valuable is it to have that shot in your game?

There aren’t many other ways to put it: Kobe Sanders (@KobeSanders3) has been a stud for Nevada! The 6’9″ senior is a big guard who put on an offensive masterpiece last night in a 74-60 win against Air Force. Sanders’s offensive repertoire is a thing of beauty, highlighted by his… pic.twitter.com/utWiytPPWe

— Matt (@HoopHound5) February 5, 2025

KS: At my height, being able to shoot over everybody, the mid-range game is free money. (There were) a lot of hours in the gym working on it at a young age. My dad and my trainers all told me, I’ll be making a lot of money right here doing the simple stuff: 1-2 dribble pull-ups, being able to rise over people. So, just for my height, and being able to rise over anybody, it is a money shot. So, a lot of hours in the gym working on it, and I think it has paid off.

What do you want NBA teams to know about you?

KS: Kobe Sanders is a hard worker, and he is big into loyalty. I think I’ve shown in my career that I’m big into loyalty, and I’m going to pour as much into my teammates and an organization as they pour into me. That is a big thing about me, and a big thing that I was raised on is loyalty and pouring into others. I think I’m a good locker room guy, I’m very versatile and I’m a hard worker. I’m going to come into work every day and be Kobe.