CHARLOTTESVILLE – If you see Calvin Baker around town and he looks particularly happy, there’s a reason.  As expected, the junior guard from Newport News has been placed on scholarship for 2008-09.

The scholarship became available when U.Va. basketball coach Dave Leitao dismissed big man Laurynas Mikalauskas from the team late last month.

Will Baker stay on scholarship in 2009-10?  Too early to tell.  Scholarships are renewed annually, and Baker’s status may hinge on Leitao’s recruiting needs for 2009-10.

A graduate of Woodside High, Baker is in his third year at U.Va.  He paid his way in 2006-07 and in 2007-08, and Baker would not have been on scholarship this academic year had forward Will Harris, who transferred to Albany, and Mikalauskas not left U.Va. last month.

Baker began his college career at William and Mary, where he made the Colonial Athletic Association’s all-rookie team in 2005-06.  He transferred to U.Va. after his freshman year at W&M.

A season ago, Baker started eight games and, at 8.6 points per game, was the Cavaliers’ fourth-leading scorer.

Leitao now has a full complement of 13 scholarship players for this season.  Only two are seniors: swingman Mamadi Diane and center Tunji Soroye.  Virginia has two commitments for 2009-10, from forward Tristan Spurlock and point guard Jontel Evans.

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