Spring Break
Meehan: DeLuca out for the season
by Jeffrey Pickette
Senior writer
Sports | 1/29/08
Posted online at 3:21 AM EST on 1/29/08
/ Last updated at 8:44 PM EST on 1/29/08
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.
"[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.
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