Soroye still in limbo

It kind of stinks to be Tunji Soroye right now. The Virginia big man is in complete limbo.

Soroye doesn’t know if or when he’ll be granted a medical redshirt that would allow him to play a fifth and final season.

And even if he’s granted the redshirt, he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to scrape together the necessary funds to return as a walk-on. Virginia is at the 13-scholarship limit for next season.

“It’s very frustrating,” Soroye said. “But regardless of whether it happens or not, the only thing I can do right now is get healthy and keep working hard.”

Soroye was limited to just two games last season. Just before the start of the season, he suffered cartilage damage to his left knee that required surgery. Then, when he came back to the team, he injured his back.

Virginia sorely missed the Nigerian’s presence on the defensive interior. UVa finished last in the ACC in shotblocking and had to play undersized freshman Mike Scott in the pivot for a good portion of the year.

Soroye says that academic coordinator Angela Crock is trying to help him find the right student grant that would be NCAA-permissible in the event the NCAA grants him the redshirt.

Soroye has also talked to coach Dave Leitao at length about his situation. “He’s been really supportive about it,” Soroye said.

Leitao views Soroye as a great mentor to incoming freshmen John Brandenburg and Assane Sene.

Sene, like Soroye, hails from Nigeria.

“That’s one of the main reasons he wants me to be around — because of the young guys coming in,” Soroye said.

Soroye says there is a chance he may not know until September if he has received the medical redshirt. He says if he doesn’t get one or doesn’t find a way to pay for his schooling, he’ll pursue a pro basketball career in Europe.

Meanwhile, Soroye’s back is feeling pretty good — not quite 100 percent, but getting there. The 6-foot-11, 252-pounder has been able to return to full team activities.

Soroye, who graduated in May with his degree in anthropology, would love the chance to rewrite the ending of his career.

“It would mean a lot to come back,” he said. “Last year was really frustrating having to just sit in my final year. I want to play during my last year.

“I’m going to keep my fingers crossed and keep praying that good things will happen.”