COMMITMENT: UVA basketball picks up San Diego State forwrd Elijah Saunders

Just hours after TJ power committed, the Virginia Cavaliers nabbed another one from the transfer portal in San Diego State forward Elijah Saunders.

After Power was the stretch four addition to the frontcourt, Saunders brings athleticism while maintaining versatility as an offensive threat. In his sophomore season at San Diego State, he played roughly 20 minutes per game averaging 6.2 points and 3.8 rebounds. He shot 57.7% from two-point range and 32.2% from three on over three attempts per game. Wahoo fans will cherish his 95.7% free throw shooting (albeit on 23 total attempts) which suggests that he could become more efficient shooter from the perimeter over time.

Saunders stands 6’8” and 225 pounder. He will likely be Virginia’s only upperclassman in the frontcourt for the 2024-2025 season with Power (sophomore), Blake Buchanan (sophomore), Anthony Robinson (redshirt freshman), and Jacob Codie (freshman) all having played far less college basketball than the Phoenix native.

Saunders becomes Virginia’s third transfer commitment in as many days. Since last week Wahoo coaching staff has completely flipped its recruiting momentum. In Saunders, Power, and Jalen Warley, the Wahoos pick up quality players at positions of need and are far better positioned for next season than they were just days ago. Of course, the ‘Hoos still have one more open scholarship spot for the 2024-2025 season which could be filled by another transfer in the next week.