Men's basketball forward Steve DeLuca '08 announced last weekend that he intends to take a medical redshirt and return for the 2008 to 2009 campaign after lower back and right hamstring injuries forced him to miss all but 27 minutes of action this season. "I didn't want to go out like this," DeLuca said. "It's a big weight off my shoulders."

The decision to redshirt DeLuca, who has been honored twice as a first-team all-University Athletic Association performer, came after head coach Brian Meehan declared his star forward "out for the year" following the team's 71-69 home loss to Washington University in St. Louis Jan. 27.

A medical hardship waiver, commonly referred to as a "medical redshirt," grants an injured athlete another season of eligibility, according to NCAA bylaws. A player can qualify for a medical redshirt only if he or she has participated in less than 20 percent of the team's scheduled contests, none of which having occurred in the second half of a season.

Meehan confirmed DeLuca's decision and expects to have him back next season.

"We would love for him to be able to come back and play and have a great fourth year because he deserves to have that," Meehan said. "We're all hoping [DeLuca's injuries] heal up for him personally. If [they do] heal up, we'll welcome him back. I'm sure he'll make a difference for us."

DeLuca is eligible for the redshirt, as he has appeared in only 10 percent of the team's 20 games this season. He briefly played in the Judges' first two games, at the annual Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 17 and 18.

"It's a big relief," DeLuca said. "It feels really good to know that I'll be back. I can just worry about being healthy."

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 the forward struggled to adjust to orthotics placed in his shoes. DeLuca's timetable for returning this season had been delayed continuously, culminating with Meehan's announcement two weeks ago.

"We were hoping he'd be back," Meehan said. "Doctors felt there was a good chance he would be back, but his back didn't respond to any of the treatments."

DeLuca said he will continue his academic studies at Brandeis next year, with the possibility of attending graduate school. On the court, he will likely join a core of guards Kevin Olson '09 and Andre Roberson '10, and forwards Terrell Hollins '10 and Christian Yemga '11.

DeLuca's return, however, is contingent on his making a full recovery. He is working on strengthening his core but is still not in game shape and will meet with a doctor Thursday to discuss the possibility of corrective surgery, he said.

Still, DeLuca remains "optimistic" about a healthy return by next season.

DeLuca played every game last season as he led Brandeis with 15.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game during the Judges' run to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. He burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2005 to 2006, averaging 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest for a young 14-11 squad.

He is currently 17th on Brandeis' all-time career scoring list with 1,178 points.