USC has won six SEC games this season without starting forward Justin Minaya. Any other wins they achieve this season will also come without him. Gamecock coach Frank Martin announced today Minaya will take a medical redshirt for the rest of the season to save this season of eligibility. The move will leave the sophomore with three seasons to play.
Minaya played in the season’s first five games before suffering a knee injury in practice November 25th. Surgery was required and the hope was Minaya would be able to successfully rehab the injury and rejoin the team this month. He did return to practice but was not able to get all the way back physically.
Minaya’s father came to Columbia this week to meet with his son and Martin and the decision to redshirt was made. Minaya was averaging over 7 points and 5 rebounds per game at the time of his injury.
