CHARLOTTESVILLE - In November, three guards signed letters of intent to join the U.Va. basketball program in 2007-08. Whether Sean Singletary will be back to head the Cavaliers’ backcourt remains unclear, but coach Dave Leitao will have at least point guard back from his 2006-07 team.

Calvin Baker, a 6-2, 180-pound transfer from William and Mary, isn’t eligible to play this season. But he plays a key role in practice for a team with few options at guard.

“He’s done a very good job,“ Leitao said, “obviously without a whole lot of people saying his name, because he is sitting out the year.“

Baker, who helped lead Newport News’ Woodside High to two state Group AAA titles, made the Colonial Athletic Association’s all-rookie team as a W&M freshman in 2005-06, when he averaged 11.6 points and 3.6 assists.

“He was in here at 7:30 in the morning.“ Leitao said Monday afternoon. “He gets a lot of extra time in the gym ... He’s remained very competitive during the course of practices going up against either Sean or J.R. [Reynolds] every single day and challenges them.

“I think he’s looked at [practices] as his games. I’m kind of happy with the way he’s approached it. It’s not easy for anybody to have to not be able to play in games. As a result, I’m a lot more encouraged about what he’ll be able to do for us and with us next season.“

He joined Leitao’s program as a walk-on last summer, and there’s no guarantee that Baker, who has three seasons of eligibility, will be on scholarship at U.Va. in 2007-08. But expect to see him in the guard rotation next season, especially if Singletary leaves early for the NBA.

Baker is versatile, said Leitao.  “He’s played exclusively point guard in practice every day for us, but I don’t see him as just that, again, because I think he brings his ability to put the ball in the basket with him. If he’s off the ball, he still has to be guarded.“

—Jeff White