Saunders is the Terps’ eighth portal addition of the offseason.
Former Virginia forward Elijah Saunders committed to Maryland men’s basketball from the transfer portal, On3’s Joe Tipton first reported Saturday.
Buzz Williams’ latest portal addition is 6-foot-8 forward Elijah Saunders, who was Virginia’s second-leading scorer in 2024-25 with 10.4 points per game.
The Phoenix, Arizona native will be entering his senior season. Spent two seasons at San Diego State before Virginia. https://t.co/x6ndFoRzpS
— Matt Germack (@MattGermack) April 12, 2025
The 6-foot-8, 240-pound incoming senior averaged 10.4 points and five rebounds per game at Virginia in 2024-25, second in both categories on a team that went 15-17 overall and 8-12 in the ACC. His season-high in points (22) came against NC State on Dec. 31, and he notched two 10-rebound games this past season, including a 19-point double-double against Louisville on Jan. 18.
Saunders hails from Phoenix, Arizona, and was a three-star prospect coming out of high school. He spent two seasons at San Diego State before joining the Cavaliers in 2024.
Saunders is head coach Buzz Williams’ eighth portal addition, as Williams looks to rebuild a roster completely vacated in the wake of Kevin Willard’s departure. Saunders is the fourth forward addition of the offseason. Both him and former Texas A&M forward Pharrel Payne, who committed to the Terps April 4, averaged 10.4 points per game a season ago.