Virginia Cavaliers Elijah Saunders Elijah Saunders works at a Virginia practice during the preseason. ~ Photo courtesy Virginia Athletics Media Relations

The first few hours after a player enters their name into the transfer portal can be a rush with a non-stop buzz on your phone. As fate would have it though, after Elijah Saunders officially decided to transfer from San Diego State, one of the first calls to light up his screen was, at the time, Virginia associate head coach Ron Sanchez.