I’ll say it again…
@JayPal_22
impacts winning. I LOVE IT!!!
@elijahsaunders_
will continue his maturation. It’s not about Jay and E, it’s about the TEAM and winning. Elijah will leave his mark at SDSU. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
We are so proud of this young man. He is having the experience of a lifetime and he’s as humble as they come. “Humility before Honor”. Continue to be a great teammate. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
@slopebasketball
Just saying….🤷🏽♂️ If you are in the transfer portal and WINNING is a priority. + great culture + great coaches + great city + great weather + playing in the NCAA Tournament. San Diego St. might be the school for you. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
Most NCAA tournament game wins in the past 2 seasons:
1: UConn - 12 wins, 0 losses
2: San Diego State - 7 wins, 2 losses (both to UConn)
3: Alabama - 6 wins, 2 losses (to UConn and San Diego State)
San Diego State’s Elijah Saunders is a strong breakout candidate next year
The 6’8” wing averaged 6 pts and 4 rebs on 42/32/96 shooting off the bench for the Aztecs
He flashed elite athleticism and skill traits while significantly improving his mental game throughout the season
We are extremely proud of you
@elijahsaunders_
I’m sure your coaches and teammates are too. The work starts now…build on this experience. I tell you all the time you are special. Once you trust the work/preparation…sky is the limit.
Thank you
@jonschaeffer
. You were throwing alley oops and he was throwing them down. Lol..Most kids just need to feel comfortable and you provided that. Thanks 🙏🏾
As you take this new journey, just know that you have a tremendous amount of support. Gratitude and humility…Don’t ever lose those two characteristics. Love you. Let’s go
@UVAMensHoops
There are guys who has worked as hard, but no one has worked harder than
@elijahsaunders_
this summer. Continue to grind. Hard work is undefeated. Your size and skill set is where the game is going. Shooting is the separater. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
Couldn’t have said it any better. I text and talk to him weekly. HAVE FUN…”Don’t think, just play”. He will be fine. He works his butt off. I told him years ago, “The game is 80% confidence, because at the highest level everyone can play”. Thank you.
Aztec Elijah Saunders is a 6-foot-8 sophomore who played seldom last year. He is starting this year & has a bright future. But he’s recently struggled, especially shooting the ball, & lost some confidence. He’s trying too hard. Needs to relax, have fun & let the game come to him.
SDSU did not match their intensity today. Not even close. Watch the film, learn from it…..IMPROVE. Fans, please don’t over react. It’s college basketball 🏀 on the road. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
I wish I was 18 years old again. Although I couldn’t do that at 18. Lol…Great job son
@elijahsaunders_
Continue to get better. Stay humble…”Humility before Honor”. Go Aztecs.
@Aztec_MBB
@Compton_Magic
Yes they are!! When they both understand that their defense will keep them on the floor, their natural talent will take over. Both will be key for SDSU to repeat as MWC Champs and another NCAA Tourney run. Thanks Jon. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
San Diego State's two sophomores who watched and learned last year as freshmen --- Elijah Saunders and Miles Byrd --- are going to be terrific players in the Mountain West.
What a blessing!!! First college start for
@elijahsaunders_
. Exhibition…but still a great opportunity. Nice stat line. Did some of everything. Stay humble and continue to improve. Unlimited potential son. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
This is a huge win. Those who understands college athletics knows this. Coming off a great road win at Gonzaga, then playing a lesser opponent in Fresno a letdown could have happened. Great job by the coaching staff and players. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
Elijah Saunders, a 6-8 sophomore out of Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix, Ariz. had his best game in an Aztec uniform. He had 16 points on 4 of 8 field goals, 3 of 3 3’s & 5 of 6 free throws to go with 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal & 1 block in 35 minutes.
Thank you sir. E continues to stack days. He hasn’t scratched the surface yet. It’s coming…50/40/90, there aren’t many forwards who post those numbers. But TEAM/WINNING is first. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
Really good win…Lesser opponent and a week before you play again. It’s human nature not to have 100% focus. If you’ve played college basketball 🏀 you understand. Who’s in the gym putting up extra shots the next 6 days? Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
Is that really called for? You’re the same fan that probably had these same explicits about Lamont in Maui huh? Elijah is going to get better. THAT I KNOW!! Don’t worry, I’ll pray for you. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
I’ve told many people, including coaches,
@elijahsaunders_
self awareness, insight, and genuineness makes me proud to be his dad. E has had a great summer and we can’t wait to see what this season brings, for him but more importantly…the TEAM.
Been at this for years, and rarely have I left an interview more impressed. Elijah's honesty, insight, and ability to communicate were second to none. Hope you enjoy it.
The Negativity on Aztec twitter comes from the same 5-10 people. There are thousands that are exceptionally positive.
Don't let those fans trick you into believing the fanbase is bad. It's not. Just some jerks with too much time on their hands.
Great recovery, GREAT BLOCK!! Do you make winning plays? That’s what’s undervalued. Everything else is overrated and over analyzed. Great job
@JayPal_22
. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
This combo can be the best in the COUNTRY. And I’m not being bias 🤷🏽♂️. Post entry is a lost art. Elijah has been a great passer since middle school. Won a state championship playing beside a great post player.
@Aztec_MBB
@slopebasketball
Some kids are just very good basketball players regardless of their position, Taj is one of them. High basketball IQ, and a TEAM guy. Great get!!!! Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
2024 4⭐️ Taj DeGourville told me he has committed to San Diego State and Brian Dutcher.
“I just feel very comfortable with the staff and they believe I can help them win on the biggest stage,” he told me.
Chose the Aztecs over USC, Oklahoma, Iowa, LMU, VCU, UNLV and Harvard.
He’s enjoying this process and could not be more grateful. He gets to play for an NCAA TOURNAMENT team and LEARN what it take to be successful at the college level. We are extremely proud of
@elijahsaunders_
Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
A Good Omen: During early warm ups for tonight’s San Diego State vs. San Jose State MWC tourney semifinal game in Vegas, Aztec Elijah Saunders hit a half court shot. He’s a freshman & thinks it counts for the game. But no worries, he’s confident & might do it in the “real” game.
Very well said….This team is only going to get better. I applaud Coach Dutch. Most P5 schools DO NOT schedule “true” road games. Learn from tonight! Be ready to go Saturday. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
The team is 7-2 with 2 quad 1 road losses. Some very obvious correctable things needs to be addressed and with our history of ascending through out the season I’m not worried. Let’s light Viejas on fire Saturday night and get back on track against a good UC Irvine team.
Tough loss last night. Can’t fall behind on the road against good teams, can’t do it. Watch the film, learn from it. History shows Coach Dutch teams improves throughout the season. SEE: Last season..Utah St. up next. WIN Saturday!! Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
Huge smile on my face
#aztecs
fans watching the Big Fella Jaedon LeDee in the workout at the Jam Center on Thursday. Some good looking new talent plus Lamont Darrion Saunders-Micah looked awesome-so talented. Watched with Coach Fish and A. Seiko.
Most UNDERRATED kid in the state. Plays with great pace. Love his demeanor. Confident, not cocky. This is where exposure versus talent gets lost. As we say in Chicago...This kid can go. An some university is about to get a STEAL.
Ironwood looks impressive in their 1st game of the PHX Fall Showdown as they gather a great win over a very talented & athletic Paradise Honors team. Great team effort and their senior guard Dominic Gonzalez was impressive
#DogoftheShow
Tonight on
@CBSSportsNet
is all you can ask for in a Mountain West doubleheader.
Four NCAA Tournament teams. Two great home court advantages. One Network.
9:00 ET:
Colorado State - San Diego State
11:00 ET:
New Mexico - Nevada
Must go undefeated at home. Road wins will be tough to come by. The team with the best home record in conference will win the conference. Protect your home court.
I just want to say I’m so proud of you. You’re everything parents want in their child. You had a wonderful senior year and a great high school career. You have a BIG TIME skill set!! You can be as good as you want to be. There are no limits. Love you, Dad
"I have an ability to be sensitive to everyone's needs and that's part of being a good coach."
Catch Home Court featuring
@Aztec_MBB
head coach Brian Dutcher Nov. 19.
📺: 2 p.m. ET on
@CBSSportsNet
Predicting the next 10 National Champions
2025: Baylor
2026: San Diego State
2027: UConn
2028: Houston
2029: Kansas
2030: Alabama
2031: UConn
2032: Duke
2033: Creighton
2034: Michigan
Got 3 things from tonights game:
1- The starting 5 is still beating the breaks off teams.
2- Micah Parrish had top 20 Aztec Bang out. Keshad would approve
3- When Elijah gets confident, the team will go to another level. I bet he’s the one who grows the most this season.
Here’s most recent video since the season ended of the best unsigned big on the West Coast 2023 Juslin Bodo 7’0 C Southern California Academy. Bodo has made tremendous strides in his game in the last 24 months. Will be making a college decision soon.
Happy Birthday son🎈🎁🎊. Your mother an I are so proud of the young man you are becoming. Continue to stay humble and treat others how you want to be treated. “Humility before Honor”. Love you, Dad
14-4 will definitely win this conference, but 13-5 is probably going to be the conference record of the MWC winner. Protect your home court and find a way to win on the road. What did we learn from today’s loss? That’s all that matters. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
Some of y’all are insufferable man. Acting like you have any real knowledge about the program. Give me a break. “Aztec Twitter” is becoming very toxic - just bc a couple guys wanna play elsewhere? It’s not that deep… goodness
❤️San Diego State MBB “ABSOLUTELY” MUST HIRE “AROP”as A COACH to Provide NOT ONLY BB Skill Expertise & LEADERSHIP-BUT For “ The INSPIRATIONAL GUIDANCE” he PROVIDES for NOT ONLY “THE TEAM” BUT “THE ENTIRE AZTEC NATION!” I LOVE ALL OUR PLAYERS-this 😇GENTLE GIANT has A GIFT!😇
Preseason accolades are wonderful. 👏🏽👏🏽 When it’s all said and done it’s about the TEAM. Go earn your stripes. Earn the respect of your coaches and upperclassman. Stay humble, believe that you belong, and GRIND.
@Aztec_MBB
50/50/90 is
@elijahsaunders_
goal. There will be a learning curve. Most freshman thinks scoring win get them on the floor, you must be able to demand your position at the college level. E understands that. Plus he takes coaching. Thanks for this post.
Awesome pic. Thanks
@PortelaRay
Elijah was extremely excited to see you. Most kids just want to know that coaches care. That’s when the relationship goes beyond basketball/sports. Thanks again. Let’s go
@slopebasketball
@Aztec_MBB
What blessings….”Humility before Honor”. Continue to stay humble, while being grateful. You’ve earned these blessings
@elijahsaunders_
so NEVER take them for granted. Hard work is undefeated. Thanks to EVERYONE that has been a part of Elijah’s development.
6-8 Elijah Saunders
@slopebasketball
Let’s Work!
@elijahsaunders_
✅
Offers: New Mexico, UTEP, Rice, Fresno State, Duquesne, Saint Louis, Lehigh, UC Davis, LMU, Cal Poly, NAU, Montana, UC Riverside,
San Diego, Boston University and
San Jose State.
This Week
@Section7Az
⬆️
Grand Canyon will host the reigning national runner-up, San Diego State, as part of its 23-24 non-conference schedule, per sources.
The date is set for Tuesday, December 5th at GCU Arena.
#WAC
#MWC
Congrats
@elijahsaunders_
!!! Play the right way, be a great teammate and blessings will come your way. “Humility before Honor”. Continue to stay humble and put others before yourself.
@slopebasketball
This is a professional. “It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond”. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 When we put our ego aside, the results are usually good. Let’s go
@Aztec_MBB
The Aztecs won!!!! It is sometimes so irritating to see so much negativity when we're winning games. This is basketball and games will be grimy, missed assignments, missed shots, bad calls, unfortunate turnovers. It's early and they are a work in progress. Enjoy the ride!