Calvin Baker, a part-time starter who is Virginia's No. 2 returning scorer, enters the 2008-09 season with a new status.

Fouth-year head coach Dave Leitao can't promise Baker a starting job but he has awarded him a scholarship.

After spending a season as a scholarship player at William and Mary, Baker has paid his way for two years at UVa, only receiving need-based academic aid.

"To see a guy walk on a team or come the way Calvin did, it's hard for me to discount the importance to a team," Leitao said in a Thursday teleconference.

"He's done everything right that we've ever asked him to do, and he's done more than that."

In that respect, Leitao was referring to Baker's citizenship and class work.

"When he got a chance to play last year, he was one of our most trusted performers," Leitao said. "We [were] able to add 10 points a game for a guy that had no expectations, or unknown expectations."

UVa did not have any scholarships available until Will Harris transferred to Albany last summer and Lars Mikalauskas turned pro when it looked as if he could not return to school.

Leitao awarded grants to Baker and to post player Tunji Soroye, a former scholarship player who received a fifth year of eligibility based on a hardship appeal. Baker, a 6-foot guard, has two more seasons of eligibility,

Baker played in all 33 games for Virginia in 2007-2008. He made eight starts and averaged more than 25 minutes per game. On Thursday, Leitao described him as the Cavaliers' most committed defender.

"It's obviously gratifying for a program, or for me or especially for him, to have reached a level where you've earned your way," Leitao said.

Notes

Leitao said that senior Mamadi Diane has resumed running following summer foot surgery but has had only one "contact session" since the season ended. ... Soroye did not learn of his reinstatement until Aug. 18, and intensity of his workouts picked up after that point. Back and knee problems are behind him.