Photo credit: ACC
Coincidentally, at the time I am writing this (April 15th) it is Elijah Gertrude’s birthday. Happy Birthday to Elijah who has had a wild journey in Charlottesville.
“I would say I am getting back, and I would like to take Coach for that. You know him instilling that confidence in me. He knows I’m the same player, like he knows I can do it, and having that confidence and having that confidence in me, we have a great team here.” Elijah Gertrude was explaining to me after UVA’s dominating 84-62 win over Miami in the ACC Tournament. “So, you know just making the most of every opportunity. That’s what it is for me. Coach allowing me to get my legs under me. Find my game and just continue to play.”
Elijah Gertrude was a 4-star recruit out of Jersey City, New Jersey in the class of 2023. Gertrude only averaged just over 9 minutes per game in the 2023-24 season but showed that he could be a piece that is a long-term solution at the point. He did a lot early in the season, but he got the short end of the stick as Bennett shrunk the rotation in ACC and postseason play. Before the 2024 season, however, came crushing news to Gertrude and UVA fans. Gertrude was involved in a scooter accident sometime between the spring and summer of 2024 tearing his right knee ACL and getting surgery immediately. He missed the entire 2024-25 season. Gertrude elected to return for Coach Ryan Odom where he would make his comeback for his official sophomore season.
With an injury to Jacari White in December, Gertrude got a couple of opportunities but did not impress many fans. He did however get quite a few minutes against mid-major American University where he scored 11 points going 2-2 from three where he showed some quickness and vertical.
There was one game in particular that turned heads, however. Virginia played a late February game at home against NC State who was also having a solid year at the time. UVA ended up deconstructing the Wolfpack and was able to bring in the bottom of the bench late, including Gertrude. When Gertrude brought the ball up the floor for their first possession in, he did not even look at a teammate. He did not evaluate the defense. What did he do? Went straight to the paint and launched up so high to slam home a dunk despite three Wolfpack defenders in the paint. The play would make SportsCenter top 10 and be played on highlights everywhere. THIS was the type of athleticism we knew from high school and his freshman season. The play got fans talking, “Maybe he is now feeling like himself again, maybe UVA should bring him back another year.”
Gertrude would only get in once more this season, and it was against Miami in the ACC Tournament when UVA was leading big late. So, with the open locker room policy, I used it as an excuse to catch up with Elijah and how he is feeling. His first comment to me postgame was, “This is fun stuff, especially for me. This is something that has been long coming and just working every day to get back to being on the floor is something that means lots.” Fans had suspicions about Gertrude lacking athleticism he once had, and Elijah said he has had some inconsistencies with some days being better than others. “I feel that there are some days that are better than others. Sometimes I want to say inconsistent, you know it’s up and down with everything in life. All I can do is be grateful I’m still able to play basketball. Do what I love.” At the time I was talking to Gertrude was about a month before the offseason would begin and obviously, he was a player fans were uncertain if he would be coming back or not. I did not ask if he would return or not, but I did ask what kind of preparation and practice went into him preparing for future seasons whether it was with UVA or elsewhere. When he answered, it was clear he had so much love for the University and much love for Coach Odom. ” I’ll go back to thanking Coach Odom. Him allowing me to be here now, get my legs under me, get running in practice with a great team like this. Going up against guys like Malik (Thomas), Chance (Mallory), Johann (Grunloh), Sam (Lewis), just having that competition, getting to watch guys like Sam, Sam, Sam is my age, and a guy like Chance. Chance is a first year coming in making a statement. So, playing against those guys in practice, Coach having confidence in me to just keep playing, doing what I love. It means a lot.
Once we got to transfer portal season there was a lot of talk if Gertrude would return or not. It was officially announced on April 8th that he would return for another year by UVA Men’s Basketball social media. There is a lot of hope that Coach Ryan Odom will find a bigger role for Elijah Gertrude in 2026-27. It is clear, his confidence is back and he is getting better and better every day he told me. “I would say I am getting back and I would like to thank Coach for that. Him instilling that confidence in me. He knows I’m the same player, he knows I can do it. And having that confidence in me, we have a great team here.” Elijah showed me so much humility when talking to me and mentioned he makes the most of every opportunity. He is a great person with so much potential, as UVA fans, we hope he can be a big piece next season.