Star forward Steve DeLuca '08, a two-time all-University Athletic Association first-team performer, will miss the rest of the season, unable to recover from lower back and right hamstring injuries, coach Brian Meehan said following the Judges' 71-69 loss to No. 4 Washington University in St. Louis last Sunday. "[He's] out for the year," Meehan said. "You can print that."

DeLuca has been limited to just 27 minutes of action this season and has not played since the season-opening Tip-off Tournament Nov. 17 and 18. DeLuca's projected return to action has been delayed throughout the course of the season, culminating with Meehan's declaration last Sunday.

DeLuca has not ruled out the possibility of taking a medical redshirt-giving him one more season of eligibility-and returning for next basketball season. DeLuca said he will meet with Meehan to discuss this scenario. He eventually hopes to continue his playing career overseas.

Originally, DeLuca hoped to return for the Nov. 25 game at Tufts, but that plan fell through. Still hobbled, DeLuca set his sight on a possible return against then No. 1 Amherst College Dec. 8, but Meehan ruled him out for the first semester after the team's 84-79 win over Framingham State College Dec. 1. Now, Brandeis must wade through conference play without the services of its marquee player.

"What you see is what you get. He's out. We've gone beyond that," Meehan said. "We've played all year without him. We are what we are."

DeLuca originally injured his plantar fasciitis, the band of tissue that extends from the heel to the toe, after the Judges returned from a summer trip to Italy. Meehan said DeLuca's current back and hamstring ailments came after DeLuca struggled to adjust to orthotics placed in his shoes.

When asked about his injury status, DeLuca said it was "doubtful" he would be able to return this season. He is currently in physical therapy and riding a stationary bike in hopes of strengthening his core, but has not ruled out the possibility of corrective surgery.

Even if DeLuca were able to recover at a more rapid pace, he has been unable to practice or work out. As a result, he lost 20 pounds and is not in "game shape."

"It's very difficult [to come back]," DeLuca said. "I've never really been through anything like this. I've never not played basketball for this long in my life. Even if I was at full strength, I bet it would be tough [to come back]."

Brandeis started 12-1 without DeLuca, but has dropped its last three games, including two heartbreaking defeats to the University of Chicago and WashU last weekend.

Still, DeLuca is confident his teammates can turn around their recent misfortune.

"They need to work some things out," he said. "We have a lot of guys that step up at big times; I have faith in them."

DeLuca has been impressed with the play of rookie forward Christian Yemga '11, who has helped to fill DeLuca's void in the lineup.

"He's a really unique player," DeLuca said. "He's really tall and has an incredible wingspan."

DeLuca has been unable to join fellow seniors Joe Coppens '08, Kwame Graves-Fulgham '08, Steve Hill '08 and Florian Rexhepi '08 this season, teammates he has played with since his rookie year. These five seniors were recruited by Meehan to help revitalize the men's basketball program four years ago.