Virginia Cavaliers On SI · 24m
Elijah Gertrude, the One Who Stayed
Elijah Gertrude committed to Virginia when the program was in a state of utmost security.
Coach Tony Bennett, one of the greatest leaders in college basketball history, was at the helm. It looked like he would be for the next 10-plus years. The Cavaliers ended up being ranked No. 18 in the Preseason AP Poll a few weeks after Gertrude committed (September 2022).
Gertrude was a major recruit for Bennett's program. Gertrude had an offer from Kansas, plus several other high-major programs. He turned them down to play at Virginia. He was there for Bennett — the vision, development, family atmosphere and Cavaliers basketball culture.