Elijah Gertrude

I’m Elijah Gertrude, born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey. Basketball has been in my blood since I was two years old—my mom, dad, and godmother all played, and I grew up wanting to be just like them. 

I have a picture of myself at two, holding a basketball, and that love has only grown since.

My older brother paved the way for me, and I always looked up to him and my mom. In high school, I was fortunate to have people who believed in me and saw my potential. 

Everything changed during my junior year when I got the chance to play with the EYBL circuit out of Albany, and that really helped me get my name out there.

But life threw me a curveball when I tore my ACL entering my junior year. I was determined not to let an injury define me, so I focused on getting back to playing. 

When I met Coach Bennett, I knew UVA was the right place for me. His approach and culture were completely genuine. 

It aligned with what my family had always taught me: surround yourself with people who have your best interests at heart. It’s all about love here at UVA.

I was on track to be a top contributor for UVA basketball in 24-25 until I injured my knee again. At first, I wasn’t sure if I’d play that season, but Coach Bennett gave me the option to come off the red shirt, and I took it. I still laugh thinking about my first collegiate game against Texas A&M—my first shot was an airball! But my first collegiate point was a dunk against Syracuse, and that felt pretty good.

Even though I didn’t get as much playing time as I hoped, I knew deep down that I wasn’t ready, and I trusted the coaches to make the right call. Our family connected deeply with Coach Bennett’s pillars because they matched our values.

I’m a big believer in God, and my faith has only grown stronger since my injury. God has a plan, and even though it was tough, I put my mind to healing and getting through it.

Dealing with injuries is hard—your routine is disrupted, and it’s easy to feel lost. But I know it’s not the end; there’s so much more to life after an injury. 

Being humble is important to me, and my faith is at the core of who I am. Nothing would be possible without God.

Growing up, I didn’t have it all, so giving back means a lot to me. Whether it’s playing at camps, visiting the YMCA, or working with the Boys and Girls Club, I’m passionate about giving back to the community. When people think of me, I want them to think of someone who is hard-working, humble, and loving.

Connecting with Character First is amazing, and I’m excited to be part of something that aligns so well with my values and experiences.