By: Parker Haynie- Assistant Director of Communications
CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- Elijah Duval doesn't play like a freshman. He plays with the edge, confidence, and command of someone who's been at this level for years — running the offense, setting the tone defensively, and taking on the responsibility of leading a Division I team. Now in his first season at Southern Utah, Duval is learning what it truly means to be a point guard at the college level, while working to establish his own identity in a program built on energy and growth.
Learning to Lead as a Freshman
Elijah Duval arrived at Southern Utah with a reputation that followed him long before his first tip-off in a Thunderbird uniform. The last name alone carried weight — a reminder that his older brother, Trevon Duval, once ran the point for Duke on the biggest stage in college basketball.
But Elijah isn't interested in being remembered as anyone's little brother.
"I want people to remember me as me," Duval said. "Not Trey's little brother. I want them to remember me as Elijah."
Now a true freshman point guard for SUU, Duval is already carving out his own identity — not just as a scorer or playmaker, but as a leader.
"I'm the youngest starter on the team," Duval said. "I'm a freshman leading a bunch of guys that are older than me, that have more college experience than me. Just learning how to lead, learning different personalities, how to make myself happy, and still make others happy."
Setting the Tone on Defense
At the point guard position, leadership comes naturally with the territory. For Duval, though, it starts on the defensive end.
"I always start with my defensive presence," he said. "Setting the tone. I'm the head honcho when it comes to defense. I'm in the backcourt trying to get other point guards out of their comfort zone. I just want to be a dog on the ball."
That mentality — relentless, energetic, competitive — is exactly what the Southern Utah coaching staff envisioned when they recruited him.
Adjusting to the Speed of the Game
If you ask Duval, the biggest emphasis from the coaches has been on decision-making.
"Limiting my turnovers, making the right reads, the right plays," he said. "Not trying to do too much. If I see two defenders, get rid of it. Just make the right read every play."
Early in the season, Duval's speed was both a weapon and a learning curve. He could get downhill almost at will, but college defenses adjusted quickly.
"The coaches really emphasize playing off two feet," Duval said. "Teams are scouting me now. They're trying to take away my first and second read, meet me at the rim. So now it's about slowing down, seeing the play develop."
A Welcome to College Basketball
For Duval, his true "welcome to college basketball" moment came against Gonzaga.
"That showed me the level they're at — and the level I want to get to," he said.
Instead of discouraging him, the experience became a measuring stick. A standard. Something to chase.
Guidance From His Brother
Helping him navigate that growth has been someone who understands the journey better than anyone: his older brother.
"Trey helped me a lot," Duval said. "He came in young, too, starting as a freshman. He went through the same thing — sometimes your speed is too fast for the game. He's helped me slow down, read the game, make my teammates happy, and get the ball to our best scorers."
Trevon's presence around Elijah has been instrumental in his success. It is one thing to hear it from your coaches, but it is another thing entirely to hear it from someone you have looked up to your entire life.
More Than a Last Name
"There's definitely extra motivation with the last name," he said. "But I want to be remembered as myself."
That desire for independence mirrors the way his recruitment unfolded.
Southern Utah's coaching staff believed in him early — even before seeing him play in person.
"They broke down film with me," Duval said. "They told me where they need me, why they need me, and what they want me to do. It was just a real connection."
Now 20 years old and playing in his first college season, Duval is embracing everything that comes with the moment — the pressure, the pace, and the responsibility of running a Division I offense.
Who He Is
Energy. Effort. And a point guard who sets the tone.
"I bring a lot of energy on offense and defense," Duval said. "I'm a dog. I like to win. I like to play hard. I like to cheer on my teammates and see them be successful too."
For a program that is in its final year in the WAC, with just seven teams competing for a Conference Title, the stakes are the highest Duval has ever been a part of.
And he is prepared to capture his moment.
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now at tbirdtickets.com! Go get yours today!
FOLLOW US
Stay up to date during the 2025-26 Southern Utah Men's Basketball season by following @SUUBasketball on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Basketball page on Facebook.
DONATE
To help support Thunderbird athletics consider making a donation today! To learn more about how you can support click here.
