From ‘Tunji Time’ to transfer talk

By Whitey Reid

Published: August 6, 2008

“Tunji Time” could be over.

On Wednesday, sources told The Daily Progress that Virginia center Tunji Soroye has informed several people close to him that he is strongly considering transferring to another school.

The sources say Soroye is considering playing at the Division II level. Doing so would not necessitate sitting out a season, per NCAA transfer rules.

UVa coach Dave Leitao, currently out of the country, could not be reached for comment.

Soroye would become the second player in less than a week to leave the UVa program. On Saturday, The Daily Progress learned that forward Will Harris is expected to transfer.

Soroye, who played in just two games last season, was hoping to return to Virginia as a fifth-year senior this season via a medical redshirt, which he was recently granted.

However, according to sources, the 6-foot-11, 245-pounder hasn’t gotten the feeling that Virginia really wants him back — despite the fact the program now has an available scholarship at its disposal with the departure of Harris.

Soroye could return as a walk-on if he paid his own way, but a source close to the Nigerian said there was no way he would be able to afford that.

With the start of classes just days away, Soroye will have to make a decision very soon. The sources said Soroye would return in a heartbeat if he was offered the scholarship.

Soroye, recruited by former Virginia coach Pete Gillen, has seemed riddled with bad luck throughout his career. After a trip home to Nigeria following his freshman year, he contracted malaria.

Last season was an extremely tough one for Soroye. He suffered a knee injury on the eve of the season opener, then was nagged by back problems the rest of the way.

Virginia clearly missed his defensive presence, as it finished dead last in the ACC in shotblocking.

In an interview with The Daily Progress in June, Soroye seemed hopeful of a return.

“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.”

It was thought that Leitao was anxious to have Soroye back so that he could mentor incoming freshmen centers John Brandenburg and Assane Sene — and also provide some much-needed shotblocking.