Elijah Saunders Joins Maryland Basketball as Key Transfer

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Elijah Saunders, a former forward from Virginia, has committed to the Maryland Terrapins as part of a busy recruiting weekend for the program. The announcement comes as head coach Kevin Willard seeks to bolster the team’s roster with impactful transfers.

Last season, Saunders proved to be a valuable asset at Virginia, starting 26 of 29 games while averaging 10.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Despite facing challenges from a foot injury, he managed to shoot 42 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line. His standout performance included a career-high 22 points in a game against NC State, going 7-of-9 from the field and 7-of-8 from the line.

“Elijah Saunders is a thick, physical forward who can step out and drain 3s and also bang in the low post for buckets,” Isaac Trotter of 247Sports stated. “He’s a useful defender who plays hard and should be an asset in a high-major rotation.” Saunders, ranked the No. 98 player in the transfer portal, becomes the seventh player to join Maryland through the transfer route under Willard.

Prior to his time at Virginia, Saunders received interest from several programs, including Grand Canyon and others, reflecting his strong appeal in the competitive transfer market.

Meanwhile, Maryland added another transfer this weekend with the commitment of guard Myles Rice from Indiana. Rice, offering two years of eligibility, averaged 10.1 points and nearly three rebounds over his 27 minutes on the court per game last season for the Hoosiers. His arrival brings additional experience to the Terrapins as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The recruiting efforts are part of Maryland’s strategy to revamp the team for the next cycle. This comes amidst a landscape where multiple players recently entered the transfer portal, allowing for significant roster changes across the NCAA.

As the transfer portal continues to reshape teams, Maryland’s aggressive recruitment highlights their determination to secure top talent. This report will be updated as further developments unfold.