Arizona men’s basketball player Kirk Walters was granted a medical hardship and will receive a fifth year of eligibility, the team announced Wednesday.

Walters, a 6-foot-11 senior, was diagnosed with mononucleosis in November and sat out all but three minutes in two games during 2006-07 season.

“”At the level that we play – the highest level of (collegiate) athletics – our athletes need to be sharp, need to be physically rested and ready to rock and roll, and Kirk wasn’t,”” UA assistant coach Josh Pastner said. “”It’s only fair that he got that year back.””

Walters will be eligible for the 2007-08 season and joins a group of 10 returning letterwinners from last season’s 20-11 squad that advanced to the NCAA tournament for the 23rd consecutive season.

Walters has been playing pickup games in McKale Center with his teammates several times a week and has shown signs of improved health.

“”He’s doing really well,”” Pastner said. “”He’s going to have a very good year for us.””