Elijah Saunders - College Basketball News & Rumors

Not playing vs. Pitt Saunders (foot) isn't available for Virginia against Pittsburgh on Monday night.

Impact The starting forward will now miss his third straight game. He remains a significant loss for the Cavaliers, as Saunders averages 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds. His next chance to play will come against Georgia Tech on Feb. 8.

FEBRUARY 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful to play Monday Saunders is doubtful to play in Monday's matchup versus Pittsburgh, per Jacquie Franciulli of 247Sports.com.

Impact Saunders didn't play in Virginia's loss Saturday versus Virginia Tech and is now in danger of missing yet another game. If he ends up being unable to play again, Jacob Cofie should get the start in his place.

FEBRUARY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

DNP Wednesday Saunders did not play in Wednesday's game against the Hurricanes due to a foot injury, Zach Carey of SB Nation reports.

Impact Saunders was observed wearing a boot on the bench as he was forced to sit out this contest. The junior forward will aim towards getting back on the court for Saturday's meeting with Virginia Tech.

JANUARY 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Quality line in defeat Saunders had 19 points (6-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-7 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 33 minutes during Saturday's 81-67 loss to Louisville.

Impact It was the second double-double of both the season and league play for Saunders, who also put up his best scoring total of the 2025 calendar year. While Virginia has kept its painstakingly slow pace even after the departure of Tony Bennett, Saunders has still managed to be a productive fantasy asset, as he leads the team in scoring (12.1 ppg) and rebounding (5.4 rpg) through 18 games. The Cavaliers are on the outside looking in with respect to a potential NCAA Tournament berth, however, as they've lost five in a row and are off to a 1-6 start to ACC play.

JANUARY 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores game-high 22 points Saunders produced 22 points (7-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 7-8 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal over 37 minutes during Tuesday's 70-67 victory over North Carolina State.

Impact Saunders had a very efficient performance and finished with an impressive outing on both ends of the court, but mainly on offense after missing just two of his nine shots. Saunders is riding his most productive stretch of the season with four straight outings with at least 15 points and back-to-back outings with at least 20 points.

JANUARY 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Elijah Saunders scores 22 and Virginia rallies in the second half to beat NC State 70-67

Elijah Saunders scored 22 points, Isaac McKneely had 15 points and four 3-pointers, and Virginia rallied in the second half to beat NC State 70-67 on Tuesday

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • Associated Press

Elijah Saunders scores 21, makes clutch free throws in Virginia's 63-58 win over American

Elijah Saunders scored 21 points and made five of six free throws in the final half-minute to lead Virginia to a 63-58 victory over American University

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • Associated Press

Elijah Saunders helps Virginia hold off American Elijah Saunders finished with 21 points and eight rebounds to lead host Virginia to a 63-58 victory over American University on Sunday after...

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Scores 15 points again Saunders recorded 15 points (4-7 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and two blocks over 26 minutes during Wednesday's 64-62 loss to Memphis.

Impact Saunders had another solid showing despite the loss, and he reached the 15-point mark for the third time in his last four games. Arguably his most productive stretch of the campaign, Saunders is averaging 13.0 points per game in that four-game period.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leads Cavs in scoring Thursday Saunders finished with 15 points (6-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds, one block and one steal in 36 minutes during Thursday's 59-41 win over Bethune-Cookman.

Impact Saunders was the only starter who scored more than 10 points in this contest, but that shouldn't be surprising after the first few weeks of the regular season. Firmly entrenched as one of the Cavaliers' go-to scoring weapons, he's posted at least 15 points in two of his past three outings.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 19 in loss to Gators Saunders chipped in 19 points (6-12 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal across 33 minutes during Wednesday's 87-69 loss to Florida.

Impact Saunders was the leading scorer for the Cavaliers in this 18-point loss to the Gators, a game in which Virginia looked completely outmatched. This was his best scoring mark of the campaign, but given that he's also failed to record double-digit points in four of his last six outings, Saunders isn't consistent enough to be reliable in most fantasy formats.

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores team-high 12 points Saunders ended Friday's 80-55 loss to St. John's with 12 points (4-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT) and three rebounds over 25 minutes.

Impact The Cavaliers struggled massively Friday and only mustered 55 points against St. John's, and Saunders was the only player who reached the 12-point mark. Saunders has scored in double digits in three of his first five outings this season.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pairing of Saunders and Cofie boosts Virginia basketball in win over Coppin State Virginia basketball's pairing of San Diego State transfer Elijah Saunders and freshman Jacob Cofie at forward has worked well through the fi...

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROANOKE.COM

Leads Virginia in scoring Saunders finished Monday's 62-45 win over Coppin State with 15 points (5-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one block over 29 minutes.

Impact Saunders was the Cavaliers' leading scorer in this easy victory, and he was the only player who reached the 15-point plateau. It's still early in the season, but the fact that he's scored in double digits in his two appearances paints a good picture of what his role will probably be this season.

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

San Diego State Transfer Elijah Saunders Commits to Virginia Basketball UVA men's basketball picked up its second transfer of the day and third in the last 72 hours as San Diego State forward Elijah Saunders anno...

MAY 7, 2024 • SI.COM

Virginia adds transfers Elijah Saunders, TJ Power Virginia secured a pair of pieces out of the transfer portal on Monday, with San Diego State forward Elijah Saunders and Duke forward TJ Pow...

MAY 7, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Miami reaches out to San Diego State transfer PF Elijah Saunders The Miami Hurricanes have reached out to San Diego State power forward Elijah Saunders, who was a late addition to the transfer portal.

APRIL 30, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Miami reaches out to San Diego State PF Elijah Saunders The Miami Hurricanes have reached out to San Diego State power forward Elijah Saunders, who was a late addition to the transfer portal.

APRIL 30, 2024 • 247SPORTS.COM

Surprise: SDSU forward Elijah Saunders enters transfer portal The 6-8 junior forward who projected as a starter next season submits paperwork to transfer two days before the portal deadline

APRIL 29, 2024 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Minutes drop coming off bench Saunders chipped in eight points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt) and one rebound across 14 minutes during Saturday's 81-67 win over Utah State.

Impact Saunders came off the bench for the first time this season but was still able to have an impact against Utah State, scoring eight points on efficient shooting splits. It's unknown if the 6-foot-8 sophomore will return to the starting lineup Tuesday against Air Force, but he could see his role decrease if Jay Pal continues to play as well as he did in Saturday's contest.

FEBRUARY 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to bench Saunders will play from the bench with forward Jay Pal getting the start, Chris Spiering of the East Village Times reports.

Impact Saunders will play from the bench for the first time this season, with 21-straight starts before Saturday. The sophomore forward hasn't been a huge contributor on offense with 6.0 points per game, but will still likely get ample minutes off the bench for the Aztecs.

FEBRUARY 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will start in opener Saunders will start in place of the injured Darrion Trammell in San Diego State's season opener against Cal State Fullerton, Mark Zeigler of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact Saunders will get the start for the Aztecs, replacing Trammell (shoulder). The sophomore forward averaged 0.9 points per game for the Aztecs last season.

NOVEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

SDSU sophomores Miles Byrd, Elijah Saunders reshape their bodies ahead of basketball season One player gains 25 pounds, the other loses 25; both are expected to be major contributors in the upcoming season for the Aztecs

AUGUST 11, 2023 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

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Elijah Saunders scores 22 and Virginia rallies in the second half to beat NC State 70-67

Elijah Saunders scores 21, makes clutch free throws in Virginia's 63-58 win over American