Texas men’s basketball gained a huge boost on Wednesday, with senior forward Kadin Shedrick announcing he’s been cleared to play. The news paves the way for Shedrick, who transferred from Virginia this offseason, to appear in Monday’s season opener against Incarnate Word.

Shedrick, who was nursing a shoulder injury, spent four years under head coach Tony Bennett for the Cavaliers but never emerged as a full-time starter. He joins a Texas roster with little depth in the frontcourt and figures to operate as Texas’ starting forward once fully back up to speed.

“I got fully cleared to start going up and down (Tuesday),” Shedrick said on Wednesday. “So the goal is to be out there Monday.”

Shedrick’s presence as a rim protector offers the Longhorns something they’ve lacked the past few seasons and will alleviate some of the rebounding woes displayed in Monday’s exhibition outing against St. Edward’s.

Additionally, while he noted his love of pick and roll actions, Shedrick hopes to expand his offensive game, an aspect he was limited in his time at Virginia.

“It’s not like I’m going to come out jacking threes,” Shedrick said. “But the goal is definitely to be able to expand out to the three point range with time.”

Texas head coach Rodney Terry expressed his excitement with Shedrick’s impending return.

“We’re really excited about Kadin (Shedrick) being back,” Terry said. “Kadin’s an older player, played in almost 100 games as a college player. He’s a guy that brings a wealth of experience, he’s won at the highest level.”

With Shedrick’s presumptive partner in the frontcourt, graduate student forward Dylan Disu, still out indefinitely (foot), Shedrick should be a key piece in the paint for the Longhorns early on.

Texas men’s basketball will open their season on Monday at the Moody Center against Incarnate Word.